A woman who was seriously ill... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1 John 5:12

A woman who was seriously ill was sitting in a wheelchair. Slight movements of her hand that signified yes or no were all she could do. Virtually totally incapacitated, she could not speak or read at all, nor eat unassisted. Otherwise her sense organs and mind functioned normally.
For three years, she has been visited one afternoon every week by a Christian lady who read to her. She always chose Christian stories from the selection of books on offer. It was unusual reading material for her, but it contained exciting stories that also prompted thought. Some were accounts of conversions. The invalid had time to take in the content, but how did she digest it? Did she want to know more?
Frequent quotations from the Bible led her visitor to offer to read also from their "original source". A slight movement from the invalid's left hand meant "No!". Even her facial expression made it clear that she rejected the suggestion.
On another occasion she was asked, "Do you believe in God?" Her positive answer led the visitor to hope for more. She asked, "Do you accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God?" That left hand and face revealed a decisive "No!"
We read of the Son of God repeatedly that He was "moved with compassion" over people's sufferings. He is "very compassionate and merciful" (James 5:11). What comfort and courage He could give that poor sufferer, if only she would let Him!
Today's reading: Acts 27:1-20