“’Call now, is there anyone who will answer
you? And to which of the holy ones will
you turn? For anger stays the foolish
man, and jealousy kills the simple. I
have seen the foolish taking root, and I cursed his abode immediately.
“’His sons are far from safety, they are even oppressed
in the gate, and there is no deliverer.
His harvest the hungry devour [consume] and
take it to a place of thorns, and the schemer is eager for their wealth. For affliction does not come from the dust,
nor does trouble sprout from the ground, for man is born for trouble, and
sparks fly upward.
“But as for me, I would seek God, and I would place
my cause before God; who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without
number.” Job 5:1-9
All of us have wondered why suffering happens. For most of this book, Job seeks to understand
why he is suffering so very much when he is sure he hasn’t done anything all
that bad as to deserve the circumstances he finds himself in.
One by one his friends come to help him ‘sin search’ to no avail. Job even considers giving up and dying, but
God had plans for Job that no one -- even Job -- could have imagined.
It was not that long ago, that we daily prayed for Adrian Stokes. He was a man who was going through the worst
of the worst types of cancers. His
suffering was horrendous and yet his life stood for his wonder at the gift of grace
his Saviour provided. He enjoys Heaven
now and I miss the witness of his enduring faith.
My pastor in the USA, Doug McIntosh, suffers with the same disease. He has finally retired from his pastoral
duties, but his witness stands for all to see … a hope for the future,
regardless of his understanding the present ... while remaining a soldier of
Christ and a witness to His love to me!
Take care with love, especially
His! Your servant and friend in Christ,
who still prays for you each morning.
Darlene
PS: Please
pray for this ministry. This is the 20th
year of endeavouring to serve others in His name to offer a smattering of
Scripture daily. Find my statement of faith by clicking (or cut and
paste this link into your Web browser): https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com You can
find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for “WeakDay
Devotion” (Also, there is a “Google
Blogger” App you can download to read them on your phone.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
- · UPDATE - El Paso (22 people killed – 27 wounded) and Dayton Ohio (9
dead – 26 wounded)- by
random shooters. Pray for the families
and friends affected, the law enforcement officers affected who will be dealing
with the ‘alleged’ perpetrators (one was killed the other captured) and for wisdom
and compassion for the health care providers (physical and emotional) dealing
with those wounded. Finally, pray these
two cities look to the Great Comforter as they begin to recover and heal and
that the nation bows the knee to Christ.
- ·
Dale – Pray for his bodily healing, that doctors do not overprescribe for his
pain, for restoration of a life-time friendship and, most of all, for clarity
of Salvation.
- ·
Gary McQ – will have major heart surgery this week to replace four
valves. Pray family and friends will
rally to his side to encourage him. Pray
for his strength, courage and for his heart to be at peace as the Lord guides
the hands of the surgeons and other health carers to repair his physical heart.
- ·
Ray’s Dad - (also called Ray) has been diagnosed with cancer. Please pray that through this difficult and
scary time that the Lord would touch his heart so he reaches out for the only
hand that can save him, the compassionate Lord Jesus.
- ·
Simon Flinders (my pastor) and family – now on long-service
leave. Pray for their refreshment and deepening of
family bonds. Pray the family enjoys
time to focus on the love of their Saviour and all the gifts and blessings He
has provided them.
- ·
USA – that the Lord would
demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting way during these times of
unrest and confusion. Help hearts settle
and rest in Him alone. And let the truth
of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding values.
- ·
Sergio – found a job for now, but it wearing
him out physically. His diabetes is
under control and he’s found a place to live.
Thank you for praying and please do not stop.
- ·
Toron – finishing his high school studies
needs your prayers for continued strength, focus and confidence, especially that
he will study hard for his final exams
(scheduled for this September.) .
- · Me – The Lord seems to be working out something new in my life right now. Please pray for my wisdom, TRUST and patience.
No comments:
Post a Comment