Through the half open door - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

My soul loathes my life; I will give free course to my complaint, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.With everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you, says the LORD, your redeemer.
Job 10:1; Isaiah 54:8

Through the half open door
As a boy I lived alone with my drunken father. I often found refuge with a kind Christian who loved God and his neighbour. He used to care for a small group of believers who met in a chapel near his home. But I was far from God.

I had to start work as a youngster. In 1968 my pals invited me to a party. Alcohol flowed, and I fell asleep, totally drunk. I woke up alone and had to pay the entire bill. Finding shelter in the station waiting-room, abandoned, deceived, lonely and sad, I was extremely bitter over that evening and over my life. At 6 o'clock a.m. I made my way to my Christian friend's house, hoping to find some comfort. Passing the chapel, I heard: "Marcello!" That was my first name. The door was ajar and I entered. There I saw my friend on his knees pleading with God to touch my heart and deliver me from evil. I was overwhelmed.

"How can you speak about me to a God I do not know?"

"Marcello, Jesus, the Son of that God, came to earth to get to know you. The name Jesus means ‘Saviour God'. Jesus loves you. Do you want to know the power in His Name to save you? He is calling you now. Believe in Him!"

From that moment Jesus transformed my life.

"There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 25:1-28 · Revelation 12:1-9