Heaven Land Devotions - Stand By The Cross

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For many decades there has been a very deep longing I have had.
This deep longing has brought me much sorrow. I get a little bit
better year after year, but still, that sorrow wells up within
me. It seems that when it does, it is as painful as ever and
tears flow. 


This morning I was reading about Mary when she Simeon spoke to
her about her 8 day old Son Jesus: "...Behold, this child is set
for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign
which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through
thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be
revealed."  


I thought about that "sword" that had to do with her Son. She did
not get good news, but rather sorrowful news. Several months
before she had called herself "Blessed among women." And,
"behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."
I thought about her entire life, and then the light sprung in
from above. 


I began to see that her life in a sense was the very picture of
the born again life. She gave birth to her Son, and by Him we
have the new birth. We confess we are "Blessed among people."
However, as time marches on, the fears, doubts and dreads come
upon us. We even doubt our salvation at times, as I am sure she
had doubts about His mission. That sword was piercing her heart
from that very day Simeon told her a "sword would pierce her own
soul."    


Mary's sorrow is compared vividly to a sword passing through her
soul. Yet the soul is not the heart which is put in antithesis to
the spirit. The "hearts of many" were agitated with so many
thoughts, but the soul of Mary only experienced the sword. Then
came the cross.  We know she stood by it the whole
while. 


And after the cross and the Resurrection, silence. We know she
died saved and in joy. I knew that the Lord spoke to me when I
thought how she stood there. I saw those words in my spirit,
"Stand by the Cross." Peace washed over me. Stand by the Cross no
matter what longings have bypassed you. What Mary could not have
here on earth, she has now in heaven. Stand by Christ. Stand by
the Cross!  


“Of one thing I am perfectly sure: God's story never ends with
'ashes.” ― Elisabeth Elliot, These Strange Ashes