He Hovers Over Us

When we go through hard things, we have a choice of how to respond.

-  We can ask God questions, sometimes even in a demanding way.  In our pain, we may bombard heaven with "why" questions.  But God isn't obligated to answer our questions.  Sometimes He does, but often He doesn't.  He's God!  Our place is to trust and simply ask for His help to make it through the difficulties.

-  We can get upset and angry - which will eat away at our heart and open the door to bitterness.  This choice, this path, will destroy us.  I watched it happen to a family member and it broke my heart.

-  We can become discouraged by the difficult things that have come our way.  God understands our sorrow, our pain - but if we settle and stay in the place of discouragement, it robs us of the joy of the Lord that is our strength.

I have become convinced that God uses the trials, suffering, and pain to build our character and grow our faith.  He takes what is so difficult and hard, and redeems it by building strength and resilience into our lives.  He turns the negative things into good and beauty by drawing us unto Himself and making us more like Him.

We have to remember in the midst of the difficulties that the One that matters most to us, the One that we love will never let go of us in the hard times.  In the stormy times of trials and sufferings we need to be on guard by trusting that God will definitely never let go of us.  In His great love for us, He'll heal the pain, bring peace to the fear, destroy the seeds of doubt, and fill our hearts with hope.  Hope, then, keeps us going.

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."  Romans 12:12

"They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

And I add my words to that verse - they shall make it through the hardest, darkest trials by trusting in the Lord.

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  Hebrews 11:l

"He fills the needs of those who fear Him.  He hears their cries for help and saves them."  Psalm 145:19

"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart."  Psalm 34:18

"Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions."  Deuteronomy 32:11

We can't see Him - but He is "hovering" over us as we walk through trials and suffering.  He is carrying us through the hard times.

The previous years have had lots of trials, some deep suffering, and some difficult pain.  But I can give testimony to the fact that God has never left me.  He has been faithfully by my side through each thing I've faced.  He has carried me.  He has strengthened my faith, and built into my character.  He has used the hard times for good in countless ways.  He is faithful - abundantly so!

The Rock of Ages

It's been a full week for me preparing for the radiation therapy I'll have in the coming weeks.  I’m at peace with the plans and I’m trusting for good results. 

As I’ve prepared there has been a quote that has resonated in my heart!  It’s from a new book called “Kissing the Waves” by Val Kadalie, a lovely Christian lady here in Cape Town.  She quotes Charles Spurgeon:    "I have learned to kiss the waves that struck me against the Rock of Ages."

Pretty much every day I thank the Lord for being my Rock.  I cling to that Rock in all that I go through.  I couldn't make it without Him.  The firm, sure Rock of the Lord Jesus has been my strength and security in every challenge I've faced.  When the waves of trial, sickness, and suffering have hit - I've held on for life to the Rock of Ages.

"I love you, Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved."  Psalm 18:1-3 

"He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He." Deuteronomy 32:4

"The Lord is my Rock and my fortress and my deliverer."  2 Samuel 22:2

"The Lord lives!  Blessed be my Rock!  Let God be exalted, the Rock of my salvation."  2 Samuel 22:47 

"Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.  He only is my Rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved."  Psalm 62:1,2

How grateful I am for the Lord Jesus, my Rock!

Trouble is Transportation

These past weeks I've had some "weak" days.  I never know when they'll turn up.  I wake up to the day, and have no energy.  The next day I might wake up to lots of energy.  There's no rhyme or reason to it.  I just have to go with what the day gives me.  On a recent weak day, I came across a quote.  "Trouble is transportation - a bad thing can take you to a good place."  

I sat and pondered that for a while.  It's so very true.  My "troubles" have time and time again taken me to a good place - a place of closeness and intimacy with the Lord as I call upon Him for His help.  "When I'm weak, He is strong."  I couldn't make it without His help.  He carries me through the weakness.  Staying close to Him is indeed a "good place."  I'm grateful that I'm not alone in my weakness.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:9

"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power."  Isaiah 40:29

"I was with you in weakness."  1 Corinthians 2:3

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Psalm 73:26

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

My "troubles" have led me to His care.  It's a good place to be!