One Good Funeral

Daily Reading: Matthew 2

Scripture Focus:  After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel…” (Matthew 2.19-20a)

Devotional Thought: Joseph and Mary had to flee after the wise men located Jesus.  They stayed in Egypt until Herod died, for he intended to murder the Baby.  It took the death of a tyrant before the Savior could be properly revealed.  Isn’t that a sad thought?

“Our church is only one good funeral away from revival.”  Thankfully, I’ve never been in a church where that was true, but I've wondered about it in some situations I've seen.  Sometimes, it takes the death of a “church boss” in order for God to take control of a church.  Someone is blocking God’s blessings.  How?  By refusing to give up control… thinking the messages don’t apply to them… displaying a bad spirit in worship… acting on sight and not on faith.  They grieve the Spirit.

When you read the above paragraph, did you think of someone else?  That is not the purpose of my writing it.  I want you to think about yourself.  I want me to think about myself.  Am I that person?  Is it my funeral that is needed?  Does God desire to do a great work in my church, yet is unable to do so because I am quenching the Spirit? 

If the answer is yes to any of those questions, may I suggest a “death” short of and far better than physical death?  What if I died, but not physically?  What if, instead of God getting me out of the way, I got myself out of the way?  What if I came to the point as did the Apostle Paul who said, “I am crucified with Christ.  Nevertheless I live.  Yet not I.  Christ lives in me.”

That, my friend, would be cause for a “good funeral”!

Prayer: Lord, the last thing I want to do is to be harsh and judgmental toward others when I read about a "good funeral."  Instead, I choose to surrender myself completely to you so that you can live in me and through me.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 79.8-13

8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.

9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!

10 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations before our eyes!

11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!

12 Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!

13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.