2024-05-03
Good morning, Dear Ones,
There are many unpleasant, even to the point of being catastrophic things that happen to people. However, if they are believers in God’s promises, there is a different way they endure these emotional and spiritual traumas than people without faith. Let’s look at some examples and see how God intervenes to help us through them. I’ve already looked at one of the worst trauma of all, losing a spouse amidst a happy marriage. Consider what the royal family of the UK is enduring. King Charles III, the patriarch of the family had surgery for prostate cancer and is now going through chemotherapy. He is in a happy marriage after waiting many years to marry the love of his life, Queen Camilla. At the same time, Princess of Whales, Kate (42) the mother of three young children, had what was reported only a few months ago as “abdominal surgery” and thought to be benign was now found to be having cancer and is going through chemotherapy. Whether or not you believe in the value of the monarchy, no single family should have to endure the emotional trauma that the Windsor’s are. With today’s medicine, there are more successful remissions than ever before, but going through a cancer diagnoses and chemo, radiation, etc. are still no assurance that these loved ones won’t pass away suffering with horrific pain, as my own mother-in-law did. Cancer is still a leading cause of death (with heart disease) with these diagnoses coming at ages earlier than ever. The rest of us, who care about those inflicted can only pray for them, for advances in research and treatment. Princess Kate brings to our attention the difficulties of famous people trying to protect young children from the media prying into their privacy in addition to the overall trauma this disease inflicts on families.
Now, let’s look at what God does for the faithful. The Scriptures often uses the term, the “Refiner’s fire”. For some of the afflicted, it is used as a metaphor to mean God’s way of taking a person through very difficult trials because He has to prepare them for very challenging assignments. Such was the case of Paul, who outlines his trials in 2 COR 11: 22-33. In a different cause long ago, the prophetess, Miriam (older sister of Moses) opposed her brother, who was a God-appointed leader of the Jews. God was angered and gave her punishment for her behavior by allowing the evil one to afflict her with Leprosy (Hanson’s disease) at that time not curable by known medicine. She was forced out of the camp for a week. After a week of prayer, God decided to miraculously cure her so she could return [NU 12: 1-15]. And we know that even with our modern medicine, some people don’t go into remission or survive, as was the case with my mother-in-law and two of my cousins who suffered from cancer that metastasized. The same can be said of my father, a physician in the days when people smoked, who passed away at age 59 from a CVA (cardio-vascular accident, heart attack and stroke). Of course. we don’t know why some people survive and others don’t, but the decision for these outcomes is always God’s for His righteous reasons. How a family left behind this way deals with these losses depends on the state of their faith and knowledge of God. JER 23: 29 [God asking], “’ Is not My word like fire?’ declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’” This verse speaks of the competing words of God and false prophets. The words of false prophets are like chaff, which God’s words are like food that nourishes. The true prophetic word burns in the heart of a man and will not be restrained (fire here). When communicated to the true prophet, it is like a fire shut upon his bones; he cannot retain it, he must share it. The true prophetic word is always accompanied by a Divine power that causes both sinner and saint to feel its weight and importance.
The notion that God’s power is weak is the opposite to the truth. I’ve had a recent experience that prayer is both powerful and effective, even if patience with repetition and persistence over time is necessary. EPH 6: 18 makes God’s will clear. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” There are times when we pray for something, and God will either perform a rare miracle or answer our prayers straight away. However long it takes, we should never give up.
PRAYER: O Most Heavenly Lord, you love us so much that You listen to every genuine prayer we offer. You never abandon us or forsake us [PS 9: 9-10]. In the Lord’s prayer, PS 23: 4, You remind us, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” This help only comes from You. Moreover, the example the Lord Jesus set of yielding to God’s leadership in prayer [LK 5: 16; LK 6; 12]. COL 4: 2, “Be persistent in prayer and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God,” are the attitudes we should practice. We should never forget the love You have for us and always know that Your richly deserve our love, loyalty, thanksgiving, and praise. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The Holy Spirit commands me to write about what God gives in the case of a catastrophic accident and, if space allows, about crime. There are many people who have trouble believing God loves them. This tragic attitude can be a result of how one is reared by his parents. This person may begin to come to faith but doesn’t know the extent of God’s love in the beginning, because he doesn’t know God well yet. God works to build our self-confidence but can’t do that overnight. I mention this, because there is help from God in this time of emotional/spiritual trouble. He also gives us comfort in bereavement. REV 21: 4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” We must remember, 1 COR 10: 13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can endure it.” That way out is faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Let me end with MT 4: 4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn JS 24:15
© Lynn Johnson 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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