Its been a bit of a dark and gloomy winter, here in my heart. Heaviness has ruled. Many around me have struggled with death and dying, and in general the ugliness of a fallen world, not to mention my own illness and it’s treatment which has not been without its normal hardship. I have wept and prayed for friends and loved ones, begging for the cup of sorrow to be removed.
It is not lost on me that these are appropriate emotions for this time of year, for those of us walking the road of Lent who are remembering Jesus’ journey to the cross.
This morning as I sipped my cup of coffee, I put on the third portion of Handel’s Messiah – which is the section that celebrates the Passion of Christ – His death, burial and resurrection.
Friends – I shed great tears of joy , standing right there in my kitchen, and I was able to fling off this cloak of winter’s heaviness and my heart was light again. Hearing these Scriptures sung with beauty and magnificence, “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth,” and “Death, Where is Thy Sting?” my heart began to rejoice. He has conquered all of the darkness we face! Death is defeated! We serve a risen Savior – and there is coming a day when we will worship Him forever!
from Revelation 5:12-14
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his
blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour,
and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto
Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(P.S.: If you’ve never listened to the Passion portion of the Messiah, you should.)
daily portion 