John 17:14-16 (NIV)
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated
them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My
prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them
from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
At a Spanish church a lady that recently underwent cancer
surgery came to church and sang a song of God's goodness with her husband.
After the song she witnessed about how our loving Father had been her strong
tower during these difficult times and that she truly had nothing to fear. She
also gave her heartfelt thanks to her "fan", the one who had always
been at her side throughout it all: her daughter.
The Sunday after January 12, 2010, the day Haiti was
decimated by the 7.0 earthquake, one of the members who had still many family
members and friends in his home country stepped forth and sang in front of the
congregation: "C'est merveilleux, c'est admirable" (How wonderful,
how marvelous), praising God with all of his heart, for God is truly bigger
than all of the circumstances.
Two testimonies, from people born in two different parts
of the world, but both having the same message: Our God is faithful even amidst
our worst circumstances.
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers
in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your
soul." (1 Peter 2:11 NIV)
We are on a mission and our real home cannot be found on
any GPS location on this planet. If we face death, fear does not fill our soul.
On the contrary, we become excited! We are going home, where our heart belongs!
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If
I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet
what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to
depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for
you that I remain in the body." (Phil 1:21-24 NIV)
This hope that awaits us motivates us, and no
circumstances, no matter how grim they may be, will keep us from praising the
One who always stands at our side.
What do we really have to lose?
Dear Lord, thank You that no matter the circumstance You
are faithful and we can fully trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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