Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
February 20, 2024
Luke 7:11-17
11 A little later Jesus went to a city called Nain. His disciples and a great crowd traveled with him. 12 As he approached the city gate, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. 13 When he saw her, the Lord had compassion for her and said, “Don’t cry.” 14 He stepped forward and touched the stretcher on which the dead man was being carried. Those carrying him stood still. Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, get up.” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Awestruck, everyone praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding region.
Good Morning! Arise and Praise God!
Jesus comes to us in our time of need. In this passage, we see Jesus’ compassion. The widow is sad and without hope. What is left for her to do? Jesus sees her grief and raises her son from the dead. No one asked nor expected this.
This miracle brought hope to the widow and to those who heard or read of such power. Those who were walking with Jesus were astounded by what they witnessed because raising someone from the dead was beyond their imagination.
In response, the crowd praised God and the Good News spread throughout the countryside.
Do we limit our expectations of God when we pray? We often pray for specific things like strength and love. The widow did not ask for her son to be brought back to life, but that is what happened. God sees our needs and responds. Jesus brings hope to the hopeless.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. We ask for your mercy. Your powers are beyond our imagination. Thank you for sending Jesus to help us. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: With God, we can always have hope.
God is good! All the time! Pastor Liz