Last Thursday we had a memorial service for one of the matriarchs of the church--Wilma Hennig. Alert, faithful, gracious and engaging until the last couple of months of her 96 years, Wilma was a favorite of mine.
When it came time to select a biblical text for her funeral, instead of choosing Psalm 23 (The Lord is my Shepherd) or John 14 (I go to prepare a place for you), Wilma selected the confessional Psalm 51.
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to you steadfast love;. . .blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, cleanse me from my sin."
With this text, Wilma reminds each of us that there are no accomplishments or good deeds or memberships or service projects you can point to to earn God's grace. We must only point to the cross. We are all equal before the throne of God--fallen, sinful creature in need of God's forgiveness. At the core of her faith was Jesus who came to die that she would live forever.
The Psalm continues. . ."Create in me a clean heart, O God, and restore a right spirit within me." That he most graciously did for Wilma. . .and for all like her who come to him with a humble heart.
"For all the saints who from their labors rest, all who before the world confess, thy name, O Jesus, be forever blesed. Hallejah! Hallejah!"
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