Deep Losses - Great Gains
In Psalms 116:15 the writer makes a powerful statement that has been quoted hundreds if not thousands of times weekly – all around the world – for along time. I have chosen these words again to begin telling the story of another saint that has gone home.
15. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. (NIV)
Eva MacLeod has been called home. Last night she passed from this life to her next one – with her Lord. We received the call just after midnight.
Some reading this page know her well – for others her name is new. For God she is a close friend and a saint.
Eva has four children and each of them meant so very much to her. I have never met a family that has been prayed over more than this one. When we were together she would ask me to pray for them and I was delighted to do so. It was by this joined prayer that I came to know them.
In recent years God blessed Eva with her husband Ron. It was my joy to stand before them and assist in performing their marriage. During the wedding Eva began to giggle and cry at the same time. Ron smiled from ear to ear as he stood beside her.
In these last years as they discovered the cancer that was moving through Eva’s body it became more difficult for the two of them. But through each day their faithfulness and love sustained them. Earlier this year at one stage we all thought that Eva was going to pass away. But she rallied again and was able to come home. Ron stood with her and was her helpmate in every way. She remained at home until yesterday and was cared for by Ron.
She was insistent on attending church as often as she could. That happened even up until last Sunday. What a blessing she has been to her friends and family with this special brand of faithfulness.
It hasn’t always been easy for Eva. The life story that she has lived is very complex. But yet in the midst of it, all her life has been encouraged by the Lord in minute details. Often as we shared personal updates she would glow as she described another piece of evidence she had received that very day of God’s great love.
Eva wasn’t perfect but in God’s eyes she is a saint. That is what the whole of Psalm 116 says to me. It really describes Eva’s life. In her brokenness she came to the Lord.
A few years ago now Eva was with my wife and I as we said goodbye to Yudell Haggart. Together we stood beside her bed as she slipped into God’s presence. They were very close friends and prayer partners for many years.
Last evening, as my wife Alida and I left the hospital, Alida said, “I think Yudell is looking on now flapping her wings and saying, ‘Come Eva, I am waiting.’ Then we both choked up as we smiled at each other. Today they are skipping together along with Jesus. How precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints… one of them for sure
Eva’s Psalm 116:1-19
1. I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
2. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
3. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4. Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"
5. The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6. The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
7. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
8. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
9. that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10. I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."
11. And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."
12. How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?
13. I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
14. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16. O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.
17. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
18. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19. in the courts of the house of the LORD-- in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
(NIV)
15. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. (NIV)
Eva MacLeod has been called home. Last night she passed from this life to her next one – with her Lord. We received the call just after midnight.
Some reading this page know her well – for others her name is new. For God she is a close friend and a saint.
Eva has four children and each of them meant so very much to her. I have never met a family that has been prayed over more than this one. When we were together she would ask me to pray for them and I was delighted to do so. It was by this joined prayer that I came to know them.
In recent years God blessed Eva with her husband Ron. It was my joy to stand before them and assist in performing their marriage. During the wedding Eva began to giggle and cry at the same time. Ron smiled from ear to ear as he stood beside her.
In these last years as they discovered the cancer that was moving through Eva’s body it became more difficult for the two of them. But through each day their faithfulness and love sustained them. Earlier this year at one stage we all thought that Eva was going to pass away. But she rallied again and was able to come home. Ron stood with her and was her helpmate in every way. She remained at home until yesterday and was cared for by Ron.
She was insistent on attending church as often as she could. That happened even up until last Sunday. What a blessing she has been to her friends and family with this special brand of faithfulness.
It hasn’t always been easy for Eva. The life story that she has lived is very complex. But yet in the midst of it, all her life has been encouraged by the Lord in minute details. Often as we shared personal updates she would glow as she described another piece of evidence she had received that very day of God’s great love.
Eva wasn’t perfect but in God’s eyes she is a saint. That is what the whole of Psalm 116 says to me. It really describes Eva’s life. In her brokenness she came to the Lord.
A few years ago now Eva was with my wife and I as we said goodbye to Yudell Haggart. Together we stood beside her bed as she slipped into God’s presence. They were very close friends and prayer partners for many years.
Last evening, as my wife Alida and I left the hospital, Alida said, “I think Yudell is looking on now flapping her wings and saying, ‘Come Eva, I am waiting.’ Then we both choked up as we smiled at each other. Today they are skipping together along with Jesus. How precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints… one of them for sure
Eva’s Psalm 116:1-19
1. I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
2. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
3. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4. Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"
5. The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6. The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
7. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
8. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
9. that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10. I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."
11. And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."
12. How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?
13. I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
14. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16. O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.
17. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
18. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19. in the courts of the house of the LORD-- in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
(NIV)
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Friday, September 22, 2006
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home