Yes! There is Good News! September 17, 2016

Usually on the first Sunday of each month, I have the blessing of conducting worship services at the Salem Lutheran Home Chapel. As I sit to write this article, I can’t help but think of the message I gave this morning. It was an important message, and one filled with hope, joy, and good news. Let me try to express it here in writing.
After singing the hymn, “Near to the Heart of God,” with the residents, I mentioned that the author, Cleland McAfee, penned this beautiful song after hearing that his two nieces had just died from diphtheria in 1901. Mr. McAfee, with a deeply grieving heart, retreated to the comforting words of the scripture and to God. He said that he felt the words and music flow from his grieving heart and that on the day of the double funeral, he stood outside the quarantined home of his brother and sang the words as he choked back tears.
“There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God ...” Have you ever desired to truly draw near to the heart of God? Have you ever needed a place of quiet rest in your life when things seem to be in turmoil all around you? Does the world ever bring heartaches, trials and troubles to your door? In John 16:33, Jesus says “... take heart, I have overcome the world.” Jesus promises us peace. In the third stanza of the song it says, “There is a place of joy and peace, near to the heart of God.”
And what about that quiet rest? In Matthew 11:28 we read, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” The chorus of that song says this, “ O Jesus, blessed Redeemer, sent from the heart of God, hold us who wait before thee, near to the heart of God.”
We have talked about the word “heart” in previous articles and so we can apply the definition of the word to the “heart of God.” His heart is who He is! Scripture tells us that God is love - this is His heart. It tells us He is compassionate - this is His heart. It tells us He is Kind - this is His heart.
But we also know that God will not force us to draw near to Him. In Isaiah 40:11, we read, “Behold .. God tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers His lambs in His arms. He carries them close to His heart and He gently leads those with young.” He leads and we must follow! Again, in the gospel of John 10:14, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me ... My sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.” What a beautiful statement from our Savior!
The heart of God is a beautiful place to be it; is a comforting place. And as the hymn says, “... a place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God.” May we learn to follow,