Daily Word of Grace # 205 (December 29, 2020)
In his poem “Michael: A Pastoral Poem” the English Romantic poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850) wrote, “There is a comfort in the strength of love; ‘Twill make a thing endurable, which else would overset the brain, or break the heart: I have conversed with more than one who well remember the old Man, and what he was years after he had heard this heavy news. His bodily frame had been from youth to age of an unusual strength. Among the rocks he went, and still looked up to sun and cloud, and listened to the wind; and as before, performed all kinds of labor for his sheep.” This is certainly the case with the love of God in Jesus Christ, who himself said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). The strength of the love of God in Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd can indeed bring comfort, and is stronger than anything in your life that may overset your brain or break your heart. Jesus Christ your Good Shepherd is with you as you roam among the rocks in your life and even now continues to perform “all kinds of labor for his sheep”…including you. The love of Jesus Christ your Good Shepherd is good news that transcends and overcomes all the “heavy news” you will hear over the course of your life, now and always.
Love and Prayers,
Dave