“God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to his promise, and he can be depended on)” 1 Corinthians 1:9 (Amplified)
During a very difficult time in my life, people kept encouraging me, “Keep hanging onto God and his promises and you’ll make it.” This was good advice–God’s word was like a solid foundation when everything else around me was crumbling. But sometimes I got so weary and I wondered how much longer can I keep hanging on? And if I let go, what will happen to me?
At this time one of my patients at a Care Home taught me a valuable lesson.
Blind Mr. Isaac was in the last stages of throat cancer. Propped up in bed, he struggled for breath. The raw tumor, in his throat, was strangling him. He kept clearing his throat, yet the obstruction would not go away. I gave him liquid morphine for the pain and Ensure for his hunger. I sat down beside him and took his thin veined hand in mine.
“Nurse,” he croaked in a hoarse whisper, “Please read to me.” He pointed to a Bible on his night table.
A flush of joy washed over his emaciated face as I read some well-marked Scriptures to him: “He (God) reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters…” (2 Samuel 22:17)
“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.”(Isaiah 41:13)
“Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm37:24)
Mr. Isaac whispered “Yes! Yes! Jesus is holding me.”
Later as I reflected on Mr. Isaac’s words, it dawned on me why Mr. Isaac had peace and joy in the midst of his severe trial: he had discovered it’s not how hard we hang on to God’s hand but how tightly God hangs on to ours that counts.
In my frantic efforts to keep clinging to God, had I not accused him of the possibility of letting go of me?
“Forgive me Lord,” I whispered. “I want to trust you more. I know you will never let go of me. You will see me safely through this time of testing.”
And He did. When I look back on that time now, I thank God for the opportunity to learn more of His amazing faithfulness. He keeps hanging on even when we’re too weak to do it ourselves.
by Helen Grace Lescheid
Used by Permission
Do you have Jesus in your life? Would you like to have a relationship with Him? If you do, you can start today by committing and submitting your life to him. It starts with a simple heart felt prayer:
Lord, thank You for dying so we can be set free from all of guilt and sin — no matter how big or small. Your blood has erased all of our sin. Thank You so much! Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen
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