Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 04/Sep/2022]

A 90 year old lady was brought into the Emergency Department. She had sustained a laceration of her forearm and a young friend had brought her in. As the local anaesthetic was administered, the elderly lady screamed and groaned. Her friend winced. It was all she could do to hold back the tears. She clearly cared deeply about her confused, elderly friend.

In a little while, the anaesthetic was working and then after inserting a couple of sutures, with the patient now oblivious to the discomfort, the doctor shook his head and pondered about the fact that the pain she had experienced earlier which seemed unbearable, was actually for her own good, so that the more important business of suturing the laceration could be carried out efficiently and painlessly.

So many are the times when transient suffering precedes success and happiness, and often we have acted precipitately, blaming God for the pain, rather than allowing ourselves to think through it and wait to see what the Lord will yet bring to pass in our lives.

Andrae Crouch, the renowned Gospel singer in his song ‘Through it all’, says “If I’d never had a problem, I’d never have known that God could solve them”. The chorus of the song is:

Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learnt to trust in God.
Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His word.

May the good Lord grant us the patience to trust Him when He says as he did to the prophet Ezekiel, that ‘dry bones may yet live’.

Martin reminded us during the service on Sunday about God’s words to Joshua as he was about to lead the Israelites into the promised land,

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1 v9 [NIVUK]

Take these thoughts with you into the week ahead. Remember that whatever the situation you find yourself in, you won’t be alone. God will be with you.

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