Good Friday
Richard Emblin (England, United Kingdom)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. - Psalm 119:105 (NIV)



When I was a teenager, during summer holidays I worked at a large house, trimming extensive hedges, cutting the lawns, and watering plants in the numerous flower beds. The house was managed by three retired schoolteachers. My afternoons were punctuated with stops for tea and homemade cake.

When I eventually stopped working there, their parting gift to me included a large illustrated Bible — leather bound with gold-leaf pages and black-and-white pictures. With little said, they gave me the gift. A popular saying admonishes, “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” Those saintly women knew how to proclaim the gospel with few words.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus used words to teach and encourage, but his most memorable teaching required few words. Out of great love, he opened wide his arms on the cross and three days later rose to new life.

It was many years before I appreciated the gift of God’s word contained in my leather-bound Bible. By the time I fully embraced the gospel, the three women had passed away. I am reminded that our actions do not always yield immediate results and that God’s timing is not ours. But we can trust God to guide us.



TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for the people who encourage our faith. May our words and actions bring others closer to you. Amen.


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TODAY'S READING
Psalm 119:105-112


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God can use my small acts to make a big difference.


PRAYER FOCUS
My faith mentors