The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Thursday, 21 June 2018 "Sacred Bonds of Love" by Mary A. Potter (North Carolina) Revelation 21:1-7

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The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Thursday, 21 June 2018 "Sacred Bonds of Love" by Mary A. Potter (North Carolina) Revelation 21:1-7

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 (NRSV))
I have mourned the death of my parents, a young niece, and many others; but nothing has been as difficult as the death of my husband, Wil. It has been four years since he died, and still I have days that are simply hard to get through. As Christians, both my husband and I knew where he was going, and I am certain that someday I will join him there. But the time in between is sometimes overwhelming.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Because of my faith, I sense the comfort and presence of Jesus every day. That doesn’t mean that some days I don’t miss my husband beyond words, but it does mean that I acknowledge that “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21, KJV).
We each have a life journey, and our time here is limited. We form many sacred bonds with people, and God calls us to cherish these bonds and to love those whom God gives to us. When we do, we find the comfort that comes only through the peace that passes all understanding — found in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
TODAY'S PRAYER: God of love and mercy, help those who mourn, and grant them comfort through faith in Christ, our Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,[Revelation 21:1 Isaiah 65:17, 66:22] for the old heaven and the old earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer there. 2 Also I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! God’s Sh’khinah is with mankind, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and he himself, God-with-them, will be their God.[Revelation 21:3 Leviticus 26:11–12; Isaiah 7:14; 8:8, 10; Jeremiah 31:33(34); Ezekiel 37:27; 2 Chronicles 6:18] 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.”
5 Then the One sitting on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new!” Also he said, “Write, ‘These words are true and trustworthy!’” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the Beginning and the End. To anyone who is thirsty I myself will give water free of charge from the Fountain of Life. 7 He who wins the victory will receive these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I can take comfort in the peace of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER FOCUS: Someone whose spouse has died
READ MORE: Link2Life - June 21


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