He loveth me in weal and woe;
His will is good, true His affection,
With tender love His heart doth glow.
My Fortress and my Rock is He:
What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 (and the Bible verse from which the above hymn comes from Salomo Franck in 1655)
Sad to say, as beautiful as that hymn verse is, I can't honestly say that I come close to really living it. I'm always leaving all things to my direction. And, of course, it's the wrong direction, sinner that I am. The good news is that Jesus took care of that for me. He really did. He pleased God -- for me. And he pleads for me before the throne of Almighty God. He has forgiven my sins and made me a part of the heavenly kingdom! I know that I am called according to His purpose. That is my hope. That is OUR hope.
This morning, as I was helping my dear wife get dressed, I noticed, painfully, that she could hardly stand, even for a few seconds. It seemed she could hardly bear the short time it took; her legs were shaking from weakness, an indicator of how much this disease has progressed since I first posted about it last January. Linda's arms get weaker too. It's hard for her to even raise a fork to eat.
Most of the time, we are getting used to what it takes to care for her. We accept what has to be done, and simply do it. But this morning it seemed to hit me in the gut like it did last January when we first learned that she had ALS. We have explored what help we can find to improve her condition. We simply have to leave it to God's direction.
Blessed Lord Jesus, teach us to trust in You rather than in our own abilities, for our works are nothing without You. Help us, in Your mercy, to leave all things to Your direction. Give us the strength to bear our burdens. Strengthen our faith that we will look to our citizenship in heaven. Send Your holy angels to comfort and protect us during these trying times. Deliver us, Lord Jesus, in Your mercy.
Lord, Have Mercy upon us.
Christ, Have Mercy upon us.
Lord, Have Mercy upon us.
The last verse of the hymn:
My God desires the soul's salvation,
Me also He desires to save;
Therefore with Christian resignation
All earthly troubles I will brave.
His will be done eternally:
What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.
Come, Lord Jesus. Amen
