2024-07-05
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Last week we learned, from RO 5: 3-4 that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, produces character, and character produces hope –a manifestation of God pouring out the Holy Spirit upon us. This is endurance used for God’s purposes. A true believer will seek out God’s perspective on all of his problems. God gives us strength and comfort as one can see in these two citations of Scripture: PS 23: 4, “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 staff, they comfort me. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” PS 41: 10, “So, so not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Dear Ones, these were the two that the Holy Spirit led me to send to a longtime friend, who just gave me the news that her daughter, a mentally challenged lady in her 40’s for whom we’ve been praying for healing from bladder cancer-- is dying. The treatments haven’t been successful. We all must trust in God that each person’s time on earth is decided by our loving God, Who limits suffering and wisely chooses the time and way that He will call someone home to Him. This patient remained faithful for her whole life because that was the way that her valiant parents taught her to be. Our God knows best! A team of experts in palliative care and Hospice will allow this lady to die as comfortably as possible.
There are valuable lessons to be learned from 2 TIM 2: 10-13. This is a renewed appeal. “I endure in everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we would also live with Him; if we endure, we also reign with Him. If we disown Him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” This dying lady and her parents endure and shine as an example of why patience in our faith matters so much. (Her parents are both cancer survivors). A question must arise in your minds about my example here: How can people with this level of challenges remain so faithful? These parents who have been dealing with their daughter’s challenges since her birth are two of the most responsible adults I know. I believe that God allows certain people to be so faithful and so challenged, knowing they were created to be examples for the rest of us. God has made known a mystery hidden for ages but is now disclosed to God’s people—the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory [COL 1: 27]. Such a situation as I have encountered with my friends, leads me to ask myself and you: What hope do we have in facing the challenges in our lives? We must be patient and endure until our new home in heaven is ready for occupancy. We are called upon to use this gift from the Holy Spirit of patience even though it tests us to our full capacity to remain resolved in our faith.
Before leaving this topic, it’s only fair that we see what our Lord has done in this area. You’ll remember that in LK 22-23, the story of Christ’s last week on earth was filled with His dignity and courage as He went through Judas agreeing to betray Jesus, the Last Supper, His painful prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, His arrest, Peter’s denial, being mocked, His time before Pilate and Herod, His trial before a kangaroo court, His crucifixion, His death on the cross, and His burial. Even as our Lord was walking from Bethany to Jerusalem as the last week of His earthly life approached, Jesus knew what lie ahead of Him. And yet, He was entirely obedient to the Father’s will. His atoning sacrifice of His physical life is the reason we, who are sinners, have the chance for salvation, eternal forgiveness, and justification. Now, that’s patience! We shouldn’t forget 2 PET 3: 9, “The Lord is not slow to do what He has promised. Instead, He is patient with you because He doesn’t want anyone to die but wants all to turn away from sin.” Yes, He loves us that much!
PRAYER: O Most Holy Lord, what lessons You have for us! You have given us reasons not to resent the suffering we must endure. It is during these times that Your greatest messages to us are taken in by us, times when You bring us forward in our spiritual growth. We must consider that perseverance (patience) produces character and character produces hope. You make Yourself available to us whenever we need You. We only have to have the wisdom to go to You first to see Your perspective and help us understand our circumstances or the example that those of others provides for us. You are fair enough not to give us challenges that others don’t also have and to provide us with a way out in Christ Jesus [1 COR 10: 13]. We thank and praise You for Your remarkable wisdom, willingness to share it with us, and for helping us to better understand the issue of suffering for one’s faith. These things we say in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: Every time I think of the concluding words the Holy Spirit are being given to me a topic, more comes. Such is the case with patience, something I’ve personally demonstrated a sparsity of in my life. Thankfully, I have made some improvements as I have aged, but there is always room for more. The Holy Spirit instructs me to continue writing on the road to getting more patient next week. Please join me in praying for my friends who have been facing such enormous challenges, including battling cancer and the impending death of their beloved daughter. Pray that they remain as faithful or more than ever, that they gain God’s perspective on what is happening and how much they are loved. Also pray that our prayers for them will be felt and be effective as they move forward in their lives.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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