Saddened but not shaken

For the past 6 weeks I have joined countless others in praying for, pleading for, believing for a couple miracles. I know nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37) Nothing. Prayer doesn't always change the situation but it never leaves me unchanged. This time is no exception. It always deepens my walk and my dependence on God. God's ways and thoughts are higher than mine. (Isaiah 55:9) I do not see the beginning from the end. He does. There were many miracles in the past six weeks regarding the two people many prayed for. Daily both families witness God's miraculous power and would testify to that.

However, I confess that neither situation ended as I'd hoped. A sweet family mourns the loss of their precious child as she was ushered from her mother's loving arms to the loving arms of their savior. They will see her again. (John 14:2) Today she is fully healed, fully restored and she and her family have made a huge impact on me and many others who may or may not have the privledge of knowing her family. Her life had purpose and through the past 6 wks I pray that others have seen God like never before.

Another loss on this earth is Heavens gain. A pastor Rick and I have listened to as he delivered God's word also left this fallen world for his heavenly home this weekend. To me it just seems so wrong but I do not serve a God who does wrong. (Deut 32:4) Everything is sifted through His sovereign hands. I know He has the power to heal and even though He did not heal either of these people as I'd hoped, it is not because He is not able. He has the power to do all things and He does all things well. He did not spare either of these lives as I'd prayed He would but EVEN still, I praise Him. He is still God and I take comfort in knowing that even though it does not make sense, I choose to believe that their physical deaths will bring Him more glory than their healings. Glory He deserves and is worthy of receiving. (Psalm 145:3)

Both of these situations made me reflect on Job. Job was a man God allowed to be tested. Job 1:6-12 says, "One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan, also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, 'Where have you come from?' Satan answered the Lord, 'From roaming through the earth and going back and forth through it.' Then the Lord said, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.' 'Does Job fear God for nothing? Satan replied. 'Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has and he will surely curse you to your face.' The Lord said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands but on the man himself do not lay a finger.' Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

So much to be gained from this passage. Satan was thrown from heaven because he wanted to be God. When God confronted Satan he was doing what he always does...roaming and searching to destroy. He is constantly looking to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10) but Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. If satan cannot keep us from loving God, he will attempt to make us doubt God and not believe God- Satan is the deceiver. He has no power unless God gives it to him as He did with Job. Satan was roaming the earth. God approached Satan and asked him if he had considered Job, a man like no other man on earth, blameless and upright. Job had done nothing to deserve what happened to him. He lost everything he had, everything and everyone he loved. He feared God and shunned evil. God gave satan the power to test Job. God gave Job the strength to endure. Much the same as we have done nothing, nor is there anything we can do to deserve God's favor. It's called grace and His gift of His son is that, a gift we do not deserve and cannot earn. It's a free gift for us to receive, if we choose. Job 42:12 says that God blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. That is God's abundance and His goodness and there was purpose in Job's suffering. To God be the Glory!

When in Daniel 3:17 Shadrach, Meshack and Abendnego were told they must worship false gods, they were willing to die first. I love the words they spoke to display their unwavering faith. They said, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is ABLE to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O King. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Even though the furnace was heated 7x hotter than normal, not a hair on their heads were singed and there was no smell of fire on them. Divine protection. God received glory!

So, I don't know all the ways of God but what I do know is even though I didn't get the answers I'd prayed for I will trust Him more. He has given me peace these past few days and has ministered to my heart reminded me who He is and not to lean into my own understanding but in all my ways to acknowledge Him and He will make my paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6). I am saddened by the loss of these two precious lives but I am not shaken. My faith is secure in my God who is worthy to receive glory, honor and praise.