And He Shall Be Their Shepherd

The majestic cloudscape and distant mountains (painted by Al R. Young) are intended as a glorious reminder of John's witness of the Resurrected Savior, Behold, he cometh with clouds: and every eye shall see him (Revelation 1:7).  Ironically, clouds which have brought darkness and storm and dreadful destruction to the people of Haiti, also bring the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  This is as true of individual afflictions and salvation as it is true for multitudes, for nations, for the world itself.  It is no mere coincidence, no meaningless trifle of irony—especially for the children of Haiti—that the prophecies of the Savior's coming speak of palm fronds in the hands of those who greet him.  The destructive tempests by which Haiti and her people have been so devastated have repeatedly defoliated palm trees, strewing limbs and leaves wantonly among the debris of their lives, their loved ones, their hopes and dreams.  Yet those children teach us all that out of such affliction and debris one picks up what is left, turns to God, and, with the wreckage, worships Him at His coming.

Tags: And He Shall Be Their Shepherd, 2021, Oil paintings and prints, Temple artworks