Lord, we want to praise and thank You again for the precious gift of our friend & beloved brother, Bill MacDonald.
Words
fail us as we try to express our heart-felt gratitude for giving us
such a godly man who means so much to us, a man who truly was a
spiritual father to so many of us. He was a brother who daily reminded
us of the character & grace of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and
consistently pointed us to Him. He was a brother who was the embodiment
of what Paul said, For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Thank you that though Bill is dead, he still speaks to us through his writings, his teaching, and the sweet memory of his life.
Lord,
we are going to miss him and the wisdom, humility, devotion, godly
counsel, the love and friendship that overflowed from his life and
profoundly touched our lives and those of countless others around the
world. Thank you that our brother fought the good fight valiantly, that
he ran the race and finished the course well. We believe there is a
crown of righteousness laid up for him which he will lovingly lay at
Your feet.
Thank you Lord Jesus, that Bill is now home with
You, the One whom he loved above all and served so faithfully. Thank
you that his faith is now made sight as he gazes upon You, the One who
loves us and gave Himself for us. Thank you that his joy is made full
as he hears Your voice saying, Well done, good and faithful servant.
Truly precious in Your sight is the death of Your godly ones.
As
we say farewell to our dear friend and brother, we do so with sorrow
and joy: sorrow that he is no longer with us, but fullness of joy
knowing that He is with You forever. We say goodbye for now, with fond
remembrance of one who led us, who spoke the Word of God to us and
having seen the outcome of his way of life, we ask Lord, help us by
Your grace to imitate his faith.
We do so looking forward to
that day when we will see our brother again around Your throne joining
our voices with his and those from every tribe and tongue and nation
saying, Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive
power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.
Amen.