Time with Jesus - Saturday, 31
December 2011
The
end of an era is usually denoted by a few profound words. Few words in all of
history were more profound than those Jesus spoke immediately prior to
dismissing His Spirit and giving His body over to death. John’s Gospel records
the incident as follows: 29 A jar of
sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop
branch, and held it up to His lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, He said, "It is finished!" Then He bowed His head and released His spirit. John 19:29-30 NLT
One
of the commentaries interprets the words as, “It is accomplished”. It’s clear
that He had completed everything His Father had sent Him to earth to complete. Nothing
remained outstanding. He had done it all! In fact it is these very words that
tell us that the way back to God was open.
Another
comment which I noted was the one that indicated that the campaign was over.
All that was required was the mopping up which He had left to His followers. My
problem with this statement is that it suggests that He had not quite achieved
everything necessary.
From
our perspective and looking back on 2011 we can also say, “It is finished”. I’ve
completed one full year of daily devotions in rhyme and metre using the Daily
Light Morning Scriptures. It’s been great fun as well as a challenge. At the
beginning of the year I thought I’d bitten off more than I could chew. Having
reached the end there is a feeling of achievement at having accomplished my
goal. In this regard, thanks so much for the helpful comments and constructive
criticism from friends and relations all over South Africa.
Where
to next? Well the next task is to get 2011 devotionals compiled into a book.
Hopefully, that will be complete by the middle of February and I’ll be able to
let you all know the cost of the book.
At the
same time, the plan is to produce another yearly book of daily devotions. This
time it will be based on the Daily Light Evening Scriptures. For some reason
the evening Scriptures have never been as popular as the morning ones. I don’t know
why. Perhaps we will find out as we progress through the year?
Today’s
meditation is a reflection on 2011. The Scriptures appear to focus on looking
back over a period of time. So this morning’s meditation comprises a short
review of 2011 from Phyllida’s and my point of view.
Once
again, thanks for your support. We are looking forward to a new year with a new
goal; to complete the devotional for 2012.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland.
Reflections
O Lord as I reflect upon what’s
happened in my life,
There’s so much to be thankful
for. Especially my wife.
You brought us both together some
thirty years ago,
And gave us both a blessing
which is more that we could know.
O Lord it’s clear You carried us
each step along the way.
It is the only reason why we
are here today.
You brought us out of Egypt as if
on eagle’s wings;
And multiplied our union with
so many different things.
Indeed Lord, You redeemed us. You
set us both aside.
You’ve cared for us and blessed
us, as though we are Your bride.
Your presence hovered over us; You
saw we were protected.
You set us on a journey which
will end when we’re perfected.
No foreign god was with us. You
did it on Your own.
We tried to be obedient and do
the things You’ve shown.
We know that there were errors
when we just plunged ahead.
But even in these failures, You
were our “living bread”.
And Lord we both are aging. Our
hair has now gone grey.
We haven’t got the energy that
we had yesterday.
But that is not important because
we still have You.
And by Your Holy Spirit’s power,
we’ll do what we must do.
We know there’s no compulsion. We
do it out of love,
Because You are our Father, the
God Who reigns above.
Thank You for Your faithfulness
throughout the former years.
Thank You for the laughter, the
good times and the tears.
Thank you we are standing where a
new year will begin.
And that Your loving presence
will keep us free from sin.
Thanks there are no reasons to be
frightened or dismayed.
Thank You for the certainty
that when You are obeyed,
Tomorrow will present to us an
opportunity,
To follow where You’re leading,
wherever that might be.
Help us to hear clearly. Help us
make a vow,
To do what You are saying,
regardless where or how.
For Lord, You are the potter and
we are just the clay
Longing to be used by You in
each and every way.
So as we fix our focus on the year
that lies ahead,
Give us both the power to go
where we are led.
To keep on being faithful right to
the very end.
Trusting in the only One on
Whom we can depend.
Jim Strickland- Written 31st December
2011
