Day 5 - September 27
Intention:
May the truth of the final judgment shape our thoughts, priorities, and choices here on earth.
Scripture:
The King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."
-- Matthew 25:31-46
Reflection:
Caring for others is not optional.
Jesus' picture of the final judgment concludes with this sobering word: the wicked, who failed to care for others in their various needs (e.g., the hungry, the thirsty, the aliens, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned) will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous who did seek to meet those needs will end up with him, enjoying eternal life.
We know that this was no parable! Jesus has given us fair warning! Everything in God's Word points to the truth that compassionate concern and practical care for all people, especially for the poor, the destitute, the weak and needy is required of us, if indeed we hope to escape the punishment of the fire of hell.
And who are the poor and needy, if not helpless, unborn babies, as well as the aged and infirm at the other end of life? Surely the "least of these" embraces not only those at both ends of the continuum of life, but all others in between. Just how we, as Christ's true followers, respond to his admonition "inasmuch as you did it to the least of these, you did it to me" will determine whether we enjoy eternal bliss in his presence or the bleak and dreadful reality of eternal punishment in hell. Nothing in God's Word could be clearer!
Prayer:
Gracious and merciful Father, we gladly embrace your Word that counsels us to care for the least of your children, and we renew our dedication to defending the unborn and all whose right to life is compromised by our godless society's selfish lack of concern. Free us from our own failures and sins so that we will be truly pro-life in every area of our lives. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rev. Ben Sheldon
President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-Life
Today's testimonial:
"God is working in more ways than we can imagine."
That subject line jumped out from the hundreds of
e-mail messages that pour in to my inbox every day.
The story that followed certainly offered proof!
The writer told of her daughter, who was raised in
the church and grew into a young teenager who "was
more spiritual than I ever thought I could be. She
was so mature in her faith and her relationship with
Christ. It amazed me how someone so young could 'get
it' even more than I. She used to drag her friends to
church activities and pray for them all the time. She
even went on a mission trip."
As is the unfortunate case with many young people,
there also came a time of rebellion. In the 11th
grade, she got involved with a group at school that
didn't exactly practice Christian principles. "It
influenced her walk with God and she drew away from
Him," this mother wrote, "to the point of leaving
church and moving in with her boyfriend at the end of
her junior year."
This young man "does not approve of our deep faith in
God and we do not get along with him very well at
all," she wrote. But her daughter did finish school.
Later, she and her boyfriend got married. Soon
afterward, the young wife became pregnant, and the
couple's financial situation was pretty shaky. They
even had to turn to charitable assistance to make it
through this time.
The mother who wrote this story is now a grandmother
-- her daughter's little girl is an incredible
blessing, but she said her son-in-law hasn't been
much help. With the arrival of the new baby, however,
the mother and daughter have been spending more time
together, repairing their broken relationship.
So what does this have to do with 40 Days for Life?
Well, the woman who shared this story is a vigil
coordinator for one of the local campaigns, and her
daughter saw her working on the vigil schedule. The
young woman noticed blank spaces on the schedule.
She looked up and asked, "What will you all do for
these blank spots?"
"I told her God will send His people to fill those
slots. She looked at me and said, 'Well, maybe you
and I could go together sometimes. I'd like to take
the baby up there on the day they do the abortions
and pray. Maybe seeing my precious baby will make one
girl stop and think twice about what she's getting
ready to do and she'll change her mind.'"
The mother held back her tears and suggested they all
go pray together every Thursday.
She is thankful that God is using the prayer vigil to
save babies, that He is using 40 Days for Life to
restore relationships, and that He is drawing her
daughter back to His heart.
"We serve such a mighty and awesome God," she said.
"I know it's not quite a 'baby is saved' story, but I
believe eternally it will be."
Please hold this family in your prayers. Who knows
what amazing work God will do next?
