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Listen while you read: "Ride On Ride On In Majesty"1 (Lyrics) |
On a recent television news broadcast, before the short Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, got up to speak, I saw that a platform or stool was put in behind the lectern. The riser enabled her to use the lectern to rest her notes and speak comfortably. This reminded me of something that I have never forgotten that happened on a trip to St. Kitts, an island that is part of the Leeward chain in the Caribbean.
A number of years ago, our family went there with my oldest sister, Ethel, and her husband, Charles, who was asked to speak at the Sunday worship service. Before he got in behind the pulpit, two men placed a platform to raise him up so that he would be seen by the congregation. The pulpit was high due to the fact that the regular minister was very tall. On the riser, Charles was able to rest his Bible on the pulpit and see the people, and the people were able to see him.
I remember this because it helped me to understand the lesson that we learn in Romans chapter three:
Romans 3:22b-23 – There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (NIV)
In myself, I cannot please God, because I fall short of His glory. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to procure the righteousness needed for us to enter His presence. Jesus went to Calvary to pay the penalty of death for the sin of all mankind. We accept His substitution on our behalf by faith.
Romans 3:22a – This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. (NIV)
We all fall short of God's glory, so what platform do you stand on? Let us never take Jesus' sacrifice for granted, especially on this Palm Sunday as we enter Holy Week and approach Good Friday!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we ask that we may live showing by word and deed that we have put our faith in Jesus Christ. Help us to show love and kindness to others. We also pray for government officials at this time of making decisions that have impact worldwide. Amen.
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Thanks for sharing, Ruth.
Thank you, Ruth, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us.
Blessings.
Greetings Ruth and thanks for your very mindful devotional writing today. Especially in today’s world we need be mindful to reach out with helping hands to so many in our unsettled world. Our faith must remain strong as we face unknown circumstances and know that Jesus is there to help us. Blessings for these special writings you do.
Thanks for your message about standing. We were involved in a small church here in Iowa. A girl who grew a little way from here married a small guy. He and his wife used to come and visit her older single aunt. He would sometimes speak on Sunday night. They would have a stool for him to stand on so we could see him. He would joke about his height, but he wished he was taller.
Good morning, Ruth,
What a beautiful start to Palm Sunday for me. Your message is “short” and right to the point. Thank you for sharing in such a way to paint a picture to help me remember that “I fall short” and I “need to never take Jesus’ sacrifice for granted”. A good prayer and many good passages from the Bible to stay focused on Jesus. May you continue to write so that we can all learn and grow. Blessings.
I too am short, barely 5 feet – I learned early to not depend on my height, but education and faith in God gave me opportunities to live courageously.
Good morning, Ruth,
Very good words yesterday, what platform do we stand on indeed. During my preaching days I had to quite often adjust the pulpit to suit my height, and during my life I have had to adjust my spiritual platform at times as well.
Thank you and I wish you and yours a happy Easter, Christ is risen indeed.