December 12, 2010 – Health and Life
Scripture: Isaiah 53: 5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
John 14: 16 – “I am the way and the truth and the life”
Devotion:
I didn’t manage to get the devotions for Thursday and Friday posted. At 2am on Thursday, Mom woke me to say she had called 911 (again) for Dad – see other posts and my Facebook page for details on Dad’s problems which have resulted in liver failure. We got him into the hospital, stabilized, and then took him to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta where he was being evaluated for a liver transplant. Miraculously, they finished their evaluation, put him on the list on Friday, and Saturday night, they performed a liver transplant! Dad is recovering in ICU and doing well.
Health, life, and its priorities have all been very much in the minds of the Pierce family for months now. You can even say that it’s really the underlying theme to this year’s Advent devotions. The Isaiah passage says we are healed by His wounds. Jesus tells us that He is the way AND the truth AND the life. Health and life are in His control. I am very mindful that in our rejoicing that somewhere there is a family that lost a loved one and made a sacrifice so that my dad might have a new lease on life. Health and life, real life, are tenuous this side of heaven. I don’t understand it at all but I trust God to hold our hands as we walk this earth and as we go through the valley of death.
How’s your health? Are you really living? What sacrifices are made for you each day?
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
