Tag: cancer

The Dawn Of A New Day !

The release of the Israeli hostages over the weeks has been both sweet & sour. The joy & ecstasy of families re-united coupled with the hard news for some of the death of loved ones.  What an emotional roller coaster which will take a long time to heal. But it is good news for many and I would just like to share about the Dekel-Chen family in particular.

Avital Dekel-Chen was eight months pregnant when her husband Sagui was abducted by Hamas. What caught my eye was the child was to be called Shachar which means dawn or sunrise. Sagui certainly had been sitting in darkness in the shadow of death before the sunrise of release, such joy! His daughters name certainly prophetic, holding out in a time of darkness until the light came flooding in.

It took me back to the day Jude took her last breath, 2nd September 2021 at 6.30am which was the time of the sunrise in Belfast.

Zechariah, John the Baptists priestly Father prophesied after the birth of John of the Christ and referred to Him as the Dayspring, which means the sunrise.

“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”  Luke 1:78-79

One of the greatest blessings I have received through bereavement are the writings of the Scottish divine Samuel Rutherford. One of his biographers quoted about the closing moments of Rutherford’s life into glory.

“With the dawn of the 29th March 1661, “it was said unto him, ‘Come up hither’: and the renowned eagle took his flight unto the Mountain of Spices.”

For believers in Christ, this Jesus the Daystar should give us much hope when we are in a dark place or about to take our last breath. He can be trusted to do what’s best.

David Watson whose book “Fear no Evil”, outlines his battle with cancer said regarding our last breath,

“Death is only putting out the lamp at the rise of a new dawn”.

We thank God again for the amazing reunion of the Dekel-Chen family.

I would recommend the following books for encouragement.

Fear No Evil by David Watson    Click Here

The Inspirational Treasury of Samuel Rutherford    Click Here

Thank you………

After completing Jude’s book and sending out the link, I would just like to say a big thank you for the amazing response and the kindest of words.

I was struck by the number of nations where people have viewed from. I continue to pray that Jude’s book will be a great comfort to many believers going through a valley and also a warning to those outside of Christ that personal salvation is the only answer to life’s questions.

Here are a few of the comments received;

“A beautiful person reflected in a beautiful book”.  AW

“At the end of the day it’s not the sermons we have heard or the books we have read, but the precious lives of the people that the Lord put alongside us that have the biggest effect. These are the true blessings that we treasure. Sister Jude was most definitely one of those treasures that the Lord Jesus blessed us with, and we thank Him daily”. AK

“I’m so impressed with this book. I hadn’t realised she was writing it and I think it’s wonderful that you’ve finished it”.  AH

“Aw, thank you so much. I loved Jude and this brought a tear to my eye”  G

“Your book is poignant and powerful and beautifully written- a masterpiece just like your beloved”.  A

Thank you again and may God richly bless your life.

Andy