Daily Devotional

Have you noticed that sometimes during great rejoicing there can coincide times of great sorrow? The wise men rejoiced because they continued to see the star that led them to Jesus and they were able to honor Him with their gifts. What a time of celebration they had.  But I think sometimes we forget that as they were celebrating, hundreds of babies and young children were killed.

Looking over the past year of our church I recall the many lives that have taken opposite journeys. Some the Lord allowed to tarry longer here with us and some He received into His heaven.  It reminds me of Job's statement, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." - Job 1:21. Sometimes it's hard to understand why the Lord allows such elements of grief. I think that's why there are examples of both in the Bible. They assure us that God is with us through times of rejoicing and times of sorrow.

As I celebrated another birthday I was more aware of how our time on earth is not permanent. It's our time after that is an eternity. And it is important that we are confident in where we will spend it.  I'm thankful for my Jesus who has provided me with a sure eternity with Him.

When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder James Milton Black
Verse 1
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound
And time shall be no more
And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair
When the saved of earth
Shall gather over on the other shore
And the roll is called up yonder
I'll be there

Chorus
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
I'll be there

Verse 2
On that bright and cloudless morning
When the dead in Christ shall rise
And the glory of His resurrection share
When His chosen ones shall gather
To their home beyond the skies
And the roll is called up yonder
I'll be there

Verse 3
Let us labor for the Master
From the dawn till setting sun
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care
Then when all of life is over
And our work on earth is done
And the roll is called up yonder
I'll be there

CCLI Song # 31315    © Words: Public Domain  CCLI LICENSE #144020
 

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.