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"Don't cry" Luke 7:13

Hanging out with Jesus as I promised, I came face to face with His heart of compassion today. In Luke 7, Jesus had just healed the slave of a Roman Officer. "Soon after Jesus went with his disciples to the next village." Luke 7:11
Jesus did not waste time, He was purposeful and intentional.
A funeral procession was coming out.
He was at the right place at the right time.
We are told that the young man who had died was a widow's only son. The widow had lost everything.
"When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion.
“Don’t cry!” he said." Luke 7:13(NLT)
I was so struck with Jesus' heart of compassion for the widow. Possibly the woman was so deep in her grief that she had not even noticed that Jesus was at the village gate. The Word does not mention that she appealed to Him. Jesus' "heart broke" (The Message) to see her grief. He was so moved that He raised her son to life and presented him to her.
 He alone has power and dominion over death. He alone can raise the dead to life.
What a beautiful picture of My Lord's compassion and saving grace. Unmerited, unearned favour, out of the sheer goodness of His Heart.
Dear Reader are you in the pit of despair? Are you feeling alone and helpless, forgotten, abandoned? Know that He knows and He cares for you and He says "Don't cry."
He loves you and like He said to the young man, He is saying: "Arise"
He is holding His hand out to you. "Don't cry", "Arise" from your sin, sorrow and despair.

Today is/was/would have been my/our (do not know how to say it right) 30th wedding anniversary. Another first. One thing is pretty clear - God has not forgotten these firsts. As I read His words "don't cry" I sensed His gaze upon me. He not only comforted me, He strengthened me. He was at the right pace at the right. He sent me strong reminders of His love, my girls pampered me, He sent me friends who encouraged me, who lavished me with love and prayed for me and cheered me on - I feel overwhelmed with His love - completely unworthy of it all. Thank you Lord for your compassion and grace.

 

Comments

  1. nandini23 January 2014 at 22:51

    thank you Joslyn, this is inspiring and from the heart

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown25 January 2014 at 06:11

    My heart sings that you have such wonderful loving girls and caring friends who are encouraging you with prayer and God's Word. Wished I lived closer. Praying for you friend when God brings you to mind....

    ReplyDelete

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