"I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I
hear many whispering, "Terror on every side!" They conspire against me and plot
to take my life." (Psalms 31:12, NIV)
Those Jews who survived WWII often came out of the experience with significant
grief, for usually the rest of their families were gone. What grieved them
perhaps the most, however, was that they couldn't even remember what their loved
ones looked like. This haunted them.
This is why Eliahu, a 100+ year-old Jewish WWII survivor, was so excited by his
surprise visit…
Eliahu had survived WWII by escaping to the USSR. His brother, too, escaped to
Russia; however he was sent to a Siberian winter camp, and when Eliahu never
received any further news of him, he believed his brother to be dead. Imagine
his joy when he learned that this was not true, and once they again made
contact, the brother sent his own son, who was, himself, 66-years-old, to visit
Eliahu in the retirement home in Israel where he resided. When they met, both of
men were reduced to tears. "I thought I had no more family!" exclaimed Eliahu.
This was amazing. After feeling so alone ever since the war, he now knew there
was someone left who cared. This was definitely the highlight of his life.
So many people are lonely. No one visits them. We can do something for them. We
can visit them and show them the love of God. Take the time to make a difference
to others.
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will
sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before
him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates
the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on
his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are
blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since
the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I
was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited
me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you
something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing
clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit
you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:31-40 NIV)
Do you know someone who is lonely? What will you do?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.