John 11:4 Jesus sees the whole picture. The illness of Lazarus of Bethany was not fatal. But, Lazarus was allowed to suffer a death, only to be raised again. We put parameters on what we believe is a good outcome. Not so with God.
I love how the sisters had to remind Jesus that Lazarus was the one whom Jesus loved! And it is recorded forever that Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus! And when He heard Lazarus was ill and needed Him, He did NOT come right away---He stayed two days longer than He had expected to stay right where He was.
Actually, Lazarus had been in the grave for four days when Jesus arrived. For four days, He let Mary and Martha suffer the death of their brother. Life isn't what we make it to be sometimes, is it?
Jesus came...The Master is calling for you. Do you know in your heart this day, this circumstance that your Master is calling for you!
Well, you just reduced me to tears for this precious girl. And I think of Hebrews 11:38 "the world was not worthy of people like this"--- those who have to suffer so much to walk with Him. The bottom line is this: God walks with Sally and now Drew. He will take care. I've been to 3 doctors in the past 24 hours. I started having headaches about a month ago and my vision and hearing has diminished. Thought they might do an MRI but nothing else shows up as a red flag. I'm sure all is okay but one never really knows. Met a lady in the P.O. today who couldn't even buy a stamp cause she was still reeling from the unexpected death of her athletic daughter who had been in perfect health. The young girl just rolled over and died throwing up. We can either live in faith or fear. It's not about choices---it's all about surrender, moment by moment. Repentant lifestyle. You've got it! He's got us! And especially this night, I know His Eyes are on Sally---never slumbers but imparting Grace. My Love & Prayers!
ReplyDeleteOne of our students lost his dad this week. His dad was riding his motorcycle on Tuesday and hit a curb and had a fatal accident. Please pray for Matthew and his mom. Matthew graduates from high school this Thursday. Also, one of my daughter's good friends, Matt Hill, has been missing since Tuesday from Chinatown where he was dropping off a student in Washington D.C. Matt served on staff at Blair's church and they were friends. They are all so upset about what has happened to Matt---it has been on national news.
ReplyDeleteWell, Bev you just reduced me to tears. The latest on Sally is 15-18 injections of radiation and no more chemo till this is thru. She had only two chemo treatments, something was said about her blood count not being right for more...but I don't understand that. I do know that God knew ALL of this before hand and has His plan, just as He did for Lazarus and He is getting glory from all that these sweet families are going through. She did have one sweet day and night with Drew at home. All the parents were already there and a sweet friend who has known Sally all of her life was there to go and take care of Drew to free the family to go to the hospital. ALL of which are signs to me that He truly has her in the palms of His hands. He is taking care of her and as one dear saint wrote..."there is NO panic in heaven, so should there be NO panic in our hearts"..but to be faithful and lift them to the throne. Just as Mary and Martha were faithful to seek Jesus out when their brother became ill.
ReplyDeletePraying for you,dear one and for those you told us about. There is so much pain and suffering in this world. There is NO life here without Him, there is only a huge hole and pain. With Him there is comfort and wholeness. May we all grow closer to Him as we pray for each other and for these other brothers and sisters in Christ who are in so much pain.
Because He Lives we CAN face tomorrow....
Praying for Matt Hill, your student and his family, and for your continued good health, Bev, and continued prayers for Sally and her family.
ReplyDeleteHope gives sway. Martha almost scolds Jesus, If you had been here, this wouldn't have happened. We've all been there , I imagine. Our hearts can break mostly because we can't fathom what all Jesus can do. One question He asks, as He reassures Martha: Do you believe? ( I am the Resurrection. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.) Nothing can keep us from His love. Nothing can snatch us from the engraved palms of His Hands. He is Life. And He is our Source of Life.
Yes, Lord, we believe. And help our unbelief
Mary Lou, I shot up in the middle of the night in total panic for Sally...and God answered me:
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 26:3. He is calling to her. Surrounded in her surrender. Watching her on all sides ~ 2 Chron 20:30 ... 20:12 when we don't know what on earth to do!
Praying this morning for your friend, Sally! And for Matt Hill wherever in the world he is. And for our loved Matthew in the unspeakable loss of his buddy, his dad.
And Jesus left Lazarus in the tomb for 4 days. He let Lazarus' family grieve for 4 days, knowing He would raise Lazarus from the dead. He could have done it from where He was. Lo. He could have just spoken a word. No, he didn't. His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts ~Isa 55:8-9. Yes, His Word for Sally will not come back empty. God will accomplish what He intended to do through all of this. Isa 55:11 ... and I have to end with the fact that we can't make heads or tails out of suffering when we are in the smack dab middle of it or end of it except hopefully what Job said: now my eyes see Him where I've heard of Him all my life
ReplyDelete. We are His and He will fight for us and we will reign victorious with Him someday. And this day: we will trust in our darkness. Isa 50:10. Mary Lou? What is Sally's caring bridge address?
So much sadness in this world. Praying that all would be drawn to Jesus through these dark days.
ReplyDeleteHe longs for us to draw near to Him.
Thankful today. Just that. God's Word is steady and treasured in this wounded warrior's heart.
Peace to all of you.
Sally's caring bridge website...in all lower case..sallycleek.
ReplyDeleteHe also gave me the verses for her the other night in Chronicles. They broke up in small groups in her mother's SS class this morning (Sarah has been the class administrator for over 30 years). Everyone has cried when they heard this latest news. The doctor says they have had great results with other people with this treatment.
He has given me such hope for her...we can not loose hope, for we are a people who are not without Hope....Him. I am refusing to panic and I am refusing to give up....I will storm heaven's gates for this precious girl and her family till He tells me to stop. IF we all feel this way, I can not imagine what her mother is feeling or her father or her sister who is three years younger. Oh, the beauty of the Body of Christ. Oh, the bond that you can feel even over the internet...do not have to see each other face to face or touch each other to love and know each other's hearts. You are so right about it's all about surrender, moment by moment surrender.....even with my health problems....I am fine!!!! so many are going through so much more than I am...I have NO reason to complain about ONE single thing that is not like I like it in my life or world. Blessings on all who pray for this precious one whom they do not know face to face...I can see her sweet smile as I write this...Thank you....