God Strengthens And Sustains Us
“Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”
When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”
-- Daniel 10:19
Some journeys in life are just hard. They are wrought with illness and fear and hospitals and uncertainty. What sustains us, who sustains us, is God and those who represent Him on this earth.
A dear woman lies in a hospital bed fighting for her life. She has suffered so much pain over the past months and it has all culminated in this moment of time. She can’t speak for the ventilator. We’re not sure how much she understands about what is going on.
Still, we visit and remind her of our love and concern. We urge her toward peace and rest, assuring her that God is with her and will strengthen her in this battle. We tell her again and again of the prayers so many have said for her and of the love God has for her.
We pray over her and with her family. We pray together and alone. Because God hears us. We don’t know if her healing will take place on this earth or in heaven, but we know our God will one day grant her relief from the pain.
Another man stood stoically before his wife’s casket. She’d fought long and hard but breast cancer won the day. She won the battle, of course. She’s with Jesus right now. But her husband, her sons, the family and friends who cherished her so, are stunned that she has gone ahead and left this empty hole in their hearts.
So we gather around them. We give hugs and share memories. We provide strength in our presence and nourishment with our prayers. We are reminded again that the body of Christ lives within all believers and that we are part of the same family.
We don’t know what the future holds. We have no idea when illness can suddenly strike. When an accident can send our once good health into a tailspin. When our orderly world careens down an unwelcome path. But we do know who holds our hand on the journey. We feel His Presence. We see His goodness even in the darkest of nights.
Fear can grip the strongest among us. Yet our faith reminds us that we have no need to be afraid. He is with us, strengthening us, sustaining us, loving us, along every step we take.
