DAILY?READINGS: 2 Chron. 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54
When Jesus heard it [John the Baptist’s death], He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him… Matthew 14:13 (NKJV)
The Saviour’s heart was deeply saddened when He learned of John’s death. Like you and I, when a loved one dies, He took time to be alone with His thoughts. Certainly, He reflected on his cousin, the faithful herald, but when Jesus saw “a great multitude…He was moved with compassion for them”(v. 14). He mourned for John, but now there was work to be done. To grieve and mourn is natural, but then there is work to be done. May the Lord give His needed grace to move on for Him and minister to the needs of others. —Jim Comte
He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will. —Charles W. Fry