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John 14:1-2 – Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (NKJV)
On the door of my refrigerator are pictures of my family and friends, but scattered amongst them are various little quotations, which mean a lot to me. I have a quotation from that wonderfully well-known writer Emily Brontë (1818-1848) who is famous for her book Wuthering Heights. My little quote:
- No coward soul is mine,
No trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere:
I see heaven's glories shine,
And faith shines equal, arming me from fear.
Many years ago, I journeyed to Yorkshire, England, tramped the same moors which the Brontës must have walked, and stayed overnight at the local inn which Branwell Brontë may have frequented. I also viewed their items of clothing. The one outstanding feature was the smallness in size, characteristic of people of those days. Their tools for writing were inexpensive straight pens and small bottles of ink.
The sisters, Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, were very conscious of the shadow of death in their lives. Their very early years were overshadowed by deaths in their family, but they did not allow this to dominate their lives, thus to quietly sit and wait. Teaching was their profession for a while, but much of their time was spent in their one driven occupation: to write. In Emily's quotation, we have her attitude to death: No, she was not a "coward soul" indeed!
Likewise, we, too, who trust in Jesus Christ, do not need to fear death. We know the One Who has promised that He will go on before us to make way for our arrival! Jesus gave His life on the cross "that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:14b-15 NKJV). Does that not challenge us to spend our time, our talents, our gifts, and our love for the extension of His earthly kingdom that others may learn of this promised place?
Prayer: Our gracious heavenly Father, we thank You for the faithful ones who have had the courage to be our example and who have displayed in their lives the joy of knowing You as the One Who is and will be faithful to His promises. Give us the courage to follow their example in our lives and actions. We pray in the precious name of Your Son and our Redeemer, Christ Jesus. Amen.
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A good word Vena.
Thanks for this reminder. Blessings.
Thank you Vena.
God’s care be with you always.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and just in time. Very touching. Very well written. Much appreciated.
Hey Vena, well said. It’s an encouraging message, especially in these days that continually challenge us to stand fast.
AAH, the Yorkshire Moors. One of my most favorite places in the whole world. I spent many hours, when young, walking there and enjoying the splendid vistas.
I love your writing Vena. Very distinctive and always recognizable.
I pray that I am so, to our Lord and savior when the time comes.
Beautiful devotional. Thank you.
Dear Vena,
Thank you for a precious devotional.
I too appreciate the Bronte books very much. Though I have not read them for a time, you give me the urge to get back into them.
Vena: I liked your subject the reading of which began this day as I do all other Devotional contributors.
However, I am moved by those who have for years accepted and ‘look forward to’ their physical human death with faith garnered from the reported words of Christ. Therefore they have no regrets passing from this life into the next and better one.
However, because of my age being in the late 80’s I socialize more now with those seniors of my age group and hear them say, “I’m ready to ‘go’. I have run the course.” I inquire about faith and they say, “No, it’s simply time to go.”
I receive the impression it is only based, unfortunately, upon their human frailty. Their sight is a problem, they have aches and pains, their mobility is limited, a disappointment with ‘things’, a serious ailment threatens and their life style embarrasses them because of finances and have given up hope, etc.
The difference and, I think, you may agree is: the latter is handled with a serious “oh, what the heck” and the former simply with a smile and Christian joy. I guess it is a lesson to be learned but too later for so many.
Dear Vena,
I re-read your devotional today.
It seems that many of the writers are becoming elderly. I realize that we need more younger persons to take up the challenge to live and write for the sake of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let us pray for the same steadfast answer to many challenges in many avenues of life — especially in churches.
People can have peace and joy freely through Jesus Christ. May many, many more realize this truth.
May God bless you richly.