Funeral: Part 1

We lost a family member recently. Even though we believe he had accepted Jesus’ mercy and is with Him in Heaven, I’m not yet ready to write about my loss of the person himself. However, a couple of significant things occurred on the day of his funeral I would like to share.

For me, the day started pretty much the way it does most mornings. I got up before everybody else and checked my email and spent some quiet time in the Word. I subscribe to a daily devotion from Crossway.  I find them to be inspirational most days.

That day, I read this:

“April 16th

Isaiah 40
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
        he will gather the lambs in his arms;
    he will carry them in his bosom,
        and gently lead those that are with young. (Isa. 40:11)

Who is He of whom such gracious words are spoken? He is the Good Shepherd. Why does He carry the lambs in His bosom? Because He has a tender heart, and any weakness at once melts His heart. The sighs, the ignorance, the feebleness of the little ones of His flock draw forth His compassion. It is His office, as a faithful High Priest, to consider the weak. Besides, He purchased them with blood; they are His property: He must and will care for those who cost Him so dearly. Then He is responsible for each lamb, bound by covenant love not to lose one. Moreover, they are all a part of His glory and reward.

But how may we understand the expression, “he will carry them?” Sometimes He carries them by not permitting them to endure much trial. Providence deals tenderly with them. Often, they are carried by being filled with an unusual degree of love, so that they bear up and stand fast. Though their knowledge may not be deep, they have great sweetness in what they do know. Frequently He carries them by giving them a very simple faith, which takes the promise just as it stands and in childlike trust runs with every trouble straight to Jesus. The simplicity of their faith gives them an unusual degree of confidence, which carries them above the world.

He carries the lambs “in his bosom.” Here is boundless affection. Would He put them in His bosom if He did not love them much? Here is tender nearness: They are so near that they could not possibly be nearer. Here is a holy relationship: There are precious love-passages between Christ and His weak ones. Here is perfect safety: In His bosom, who can hurt them? They must hurt the Shepherd first. Here is perfect rest and sweetest comfort. Surely we are not sufficiently aware of the infinite tenderness of Jesus!”

I’m fairly sure it is okay to reprint this devotion since the email is a free service and I’m giving them credit. The writing was attributed to Charles Spurgeon, described as the nineteenth century’s most prolific preacher and writer.

I had heard of Charles Spurgeon as a famous religious writer, but it wasn’t until I received several of his works through these devotions that I began to see the God-given wisdom he had and taught. I’ve not yet read any of his works, but he is on my short list of authors to check out.

But I digress; when I lose a person close to me, I tend to focus on the duties and obligations of the moment. I needed this reminder that God cares for us and has a sovereign plan of which we are a part. I believe it was God who showed me Charles Spurgeon’s writing of the Shepard concept given in Isaiah 40 to help with the emotional loss. I leaned on this a couple of times that day.

“Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” - Isaiah 40:9-11 ESV

There is such blessing in reading God’s word daily. I find the combination of following a Bible reading plan and supplementing it with others’ inspired observations feeds me. If you are not reading God’s word regularly, you are missing out on this source of blessing, reassurance and hope.

Footnote – Crossway Daily Devotion from April 16.  www.crossway.org