He's All I Need
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A sweet friend who is visiting went with me to see Floyd this week. We had a precious, tender visit together. We both shared testimonies of people who have come to know Jesus - some as a result of Floyd's ministry in the past. All three of us were crying as we thanked the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness. As I always do when I'm with Floyd, we tried to encourage him that his "voice" still speaks and his life is still fruitful - even though he is still and silent right now. He always soaks up the encouragement like a sponge.
We continue to pray for protection for Floyd's heart and mind against the lies of the enemy.......and against discouragement.
The words to an old chorus I sang in church when I was growing up came to my mind the other day. "He's all I need. He's all I need. Jesus is all I need."
God is enough. In fact, God is more than enough! That phrase has been ringing in my mind in recent days while singing the chorus. As humans we always want more.....or something different. We are rarely satisfied. It's the old philosophy of "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." Have you ever noticed how often cows have their heads stuck through the fence eating the grass on the other side? It's the same as on their side of the fence......but it looks better on the other side. We humans can be the same in our thinking.
I've found my heart being challenged to thank the Lord for what I have and not want more (even in this time of loss and sickness)......and to concentrate on God being "enough" for me. When everything is going good - it's easy to think that God is enough. But when hard times hit, we can wonder if God has disappeared. He hasn't!
He is right beside us all the time. He is taking care of us. He carries us when we're weak. He holds our right hand when we're struggling. He picks us up when we fall. He meets our daily needs for provision. He forgives us when we fail and sin. He encourages our hearts when we're sad. He gives grace for every need. He dries our tears when our emotions overwhelm us. He counsels us when we need wisdom and direction.
HE IS ENOUGH! We can't trust our feelings. They often betray us and make us think we're on our own - or that God has abandoned us. The enemy will try to whisper every lie he can think of to make us feel God isn't sufficient. We must stand against those lies.
There have been whole books written about God's sufficiency. They contain wonderful and profound truths. We could feast on them for weeks as we read about all that God has provided for us. I wish I had the knowledge and skill to write such wonderful books.
But, for me, it comes down to the simplicity of simply knowing that God is enough! For whatever need I have, whatever situation I'm facing, whatever emotion is weighing on my heart - He is enough.
I am so grateful!
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
"My God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8
"The Lord will fulfil His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." Psalm 138:8
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
"For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:37
"The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
The Bible is packed full and overflowing with verses about God being enough. I claim them afresh. I hold onto them on hard days. And I thank God that He knows how much we need the reassurance of His word that He is enough! He gave us all those wonderful verses.
I've never been very good at new languages. I studied French in high school and loved it - such a beautiful language - but I never managed to speak it very well. During the years we lived in Holland, I was the worst in our family at speaking Dutch. I just have a hard time wrapping my tongue around the sounds of new languages.
But during this unexpected journey we're on, I've had to learn a new language. It's all the medical "jargon." So many new words and phrases. It's definitely a language of its own! In the early days when Floyd was in ICU, I was constantly asking the medical staff to explain what they were talking about! Even recently I've come across some new terms that I didn't understand.
It's made me reflect on the fact that I'm so grateful God understands us all. Regardless of what language we speak, what terms we use - He understands. Every word we say. Every phrase we use. Every mumbled communication through our tears. Every whisper we speak......He listens, hears, and responds to us. That gives me such sweet assurance.
I have sometimes wished we could go back to the pre-Tower of Babel days when everyone spoke the same tongue. I think it would eliminate a lot of confusion and misunderstanding! But thank goodness God understands us and sees what our heart is saying - as well as our words.
God hears every word we say. We can pray with that assurance. He doesn't ignore us, He doesn't put us on "silent," and He never slumbers or sleeps so He's always available. I take such comfort in knowing that He is always listening.
"In panic I cried out, "I am cut off from the Lord!" But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help." Psalm 31:22
"You came near when I called you, and you said 'Do not fear.' " Lamentations 3:57
"I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!" Isaiah 65:24
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:17,18
"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12,13
When I'm feeling desperate, alone, needing help with something - it is so comforting to know that God is listening to every word I speak and that He understands me completely.