Jordan’s Stormy Banks

Sickness, sorrow, pain and death are felt and feared no more

There is no rhyme or reason that we as mortals can think of for the death of a small child, but today the impact of such a death is rippling through my office. One of my co-workers has a wonderful wife and two beautiful girls. A little after 8:00 this morning the younger of his two children went in for a heart catheterization in her 10th week of life. After beginning the anesthesia, Ella Cate’s heart stopped beating. Her doctors worked for over an hour to revive her, but could not. As I learned of this painful news, I was reminded of my favorite hymn – “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks.” The third and fourth verses especially spoke to me of the promise we have as Christians looking into Cannan’s happy land:

3. No chilling winds nor poisonous breath
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness, sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and feared no more.

4. When shall I reach that happy place,
And be forever blessed?
When shall I see my Father’s face,
And in His bosom rest?

I am bound for promised land.

May we all take a moment in our busy days to realize that the stormy shores on which we stand are but a fleeting moment in our Christian life. We ARE bound, WE are bound, we are BOUND for the promised land.

Small quiet places

Today I received a small devotion book from my mother which she surprised me with by sending to my work. The book is entitled “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. I have only read the devotion for today and yet a yearning has arisen to find the small quiet places in my day where, like the spinning ballerina referenced in the devotion, I can look to Christ as my spotting image. Looking at our own struggles, issues and complicated lives can dizzy the mind of any Christian. My prayer today is to look to my constant spotter when the day becomes a blur.

Psalm 102: 27 – “But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

Hebrews 12: 2 – “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and protector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”