Listen to this devotion
The Widow of Nain — From Tears to Joy, Pain to Praise
(Her Story: Luke 7:11–17)
In the Word
And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother (Luke 7:15).
Of the the Word
In Luke 7, we read of a widow, first left alone at her husband’s death, then doubly alone after her son’s death. She wept as the body of her son was carried away.
And then Jesus came! His feelings: compassion and sorrow. His words: “Don’t cry” (Luke 7:13b CEB). His action: He restored her son’s life and gave him back to her. The Gospel writer tells nothing about her life before or after the miracle. But it is certain the widow’s life changed when her son, once dead, walked home beside her that day. She went from pain to praise, from tears to triumph!
And that is what our loving God does even today. In the midst of sadness and tears, He says, “Don’t cry” (Luke 7:13b CEB). He urges, “Come to me” … He promises, … “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). His heart is full of compassion, and His arms are open wide. Come!
Walking with my Lord
Dear Lord Jesus, when my load is heavy and my troubles are huge, help me remember that Your love is wider, bigger, and stronger than all of them. Thank You! In Your name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 14/34 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Scripture taken from the Common English Bible®, CEB® Copyright © 2010, 2011 by Common English Bible.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. The “CEB” and “Common English Bible” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Common English Bible. Use of either trademark requires the permission of Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
