WATCHWORD:
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, give thanks with Thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-6
Meditation:
Praise Him Anyway
Have you read the book When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner? The title alone can remind you of times you really don’t want to revisit.
Within my circle of friends there are six of us who have lost our spouse following a period of declining health, all within the last eight years. In several of those cases the end was certain because the illness had a long history with no happy endings.
We don’t pray that God will make our lives free of health problems because that won’t happen. We can’t ask him to make us immune to the diseases, like the ones taking our loved ones, He won’t do that either. We don’t believe in magic spells so that bad things will only happen to others and never to us. I don’t even believe that’s a thing, just a myth.
What happened to our loved ones that led to their leaving us was all part of God’s plan and it is still hard for us to understand, at this moment in time and on this side of eternity. But our faith tells us there is a purpose, God had a reason, and His plan is still playing out.
As I write this there are several within that same circle of friends that are faced with difficult medical problems and our role is providing support and praying. Our faith tells us that prayer has power, yet, since we haven’t seen much progress, we wonder. Does our sadness reveal a lack of confidence, patience, or weak faith? I don’t believe so. Our faith in Christ is strong, and we trust His plan for loved ones. Maybe we need to work on our patience, but. our faith is strong and we have confidence.
I don’t believe that we can live our lives, even with the strongest of faith, without having to climb a mountain of trouble, work our way through difficult times, along rough roads. Our faith gives us hope when the diagnosis comes our way. There is a new reality that comes with strong faith in God. It’s the knowledge that God loves us, and that God has a plan for our lives, even here where we are.
Through scripture, Jesus tells us, “We have designed you to meet Me moment by moment. As your awareness of your neediness increases, so does your realization of my abundant sufficiency. I can meet every one of your needs. Approach my throne of grace with confidence and receive my peace with a thankful heart. Take the mercy, accept the help.” (Stan’s Amplified Version of Hebrews 4:14-16)
We can approach Him with confidence and with hope, even when we’re surrounded by darkness. He knows the way and He will show us. Remember, He tell us, ‘Come to Me, and I will give you rest.’ Amen
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you are the author of life and my source of hope. May faith arise in my heart as I pause to listen to you. You are the strength of my life, and your promises describe my future. I rejoice in your great faithfulness. Your mercy sustains me in days of darkness and distress. Deliver me from evil. I put my trust in you, my God, and my redeemer. Amen.
