Pain and restoration

[s.i.e.]

I have a friend who sent this email out to his friends, who is stepping into his chemo cycle #5 shortly. In this email, he said this:

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A friend sent me a verse that was my anchor today.
"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again." ~Psalm 71: 20-21
It’s true!
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...and I am humbled.

He writes further, and says:


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What must God really, really be like for us to worship Him… with our whole hearts and to love others in the midst of suffering? No matter the circumstances or level of pain there's no exemption for worship and love. That's incredible to me as I splash and romp in the most shallow end of suffering's pool. In my discomfort I feel so justly entitled to be godless… without God, abandoned to pain, a small story, needless heartache and grief, misdirected disappointment/anger, abhorrent agreements regarding God's character and heart, a surprising in a wallowing angst, a pseudo-"Me-against the world" righteousness, a settling for unredemptive pain.

It's not my gallant battling, or noble enduring or stedfast faith he longs for from me. As admirable and needed as those qualities are, what God longs for and invites me into is an intimacy with Him, a relationship with Him that is such that tied to stake, one match from being torched, I sing like a free bird to a song worshipping my The Mighty One, My Anchor and Intimate, Grace and Beauty, The One True and Living God.

I long, long, pant for, yearn and desire to be a man I am not yet (and is so evident in this cancer/chemo journey). I know God, I love Him mightily and in my suffering am still aware of how very much more there is for me to enjoy of Him.
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So, I post here, as it is too good to leave hidden. 'nuf said

 

[Peace Seeker]

Wow, a very touching reminder that our Lord is always praiseworthy, and a great example of faith in action (your friend's). Thanks for sharing!

 

[Coconut]

It's not my gallant battling, or noble enduring or stedfast faith he longs for from me. As admirable and needed as those qualities are, what God longs for and invites me into is an intimacy with Him, a relationship with Him that is such that tied to stake, one match from being torched, I sing like a free bird to a song worshipping my The Mighty One, My Anchor and Intimate, Grace and Beauty, The One True and Living God.

I am at a loss for words to say how achingly beautiful this word is..I have never copied anything written in this forum, but I am writing those words in my Bible.

Bless you and your friend for sharing this!

 

[Coconut]

I wondered why the word "writing" was underlined... it says "Moses is commanded "to write for a memorial in a book" (Ex. 17:14)

whew..God is speaking...I know that others are going to read that and hear what I hear.

 

[jiggyfly]

Yes indeed, excellent encouragement and testimony, and this humbleness comes sometimes at great sacrifice or loss.

We see it in Paul's writings, in the many accounts recorded in John Foxe's writings and in the many other believer's testimonies.

Why do many of us think that when our flesh is discomforted it is a bad thing?

One of my favorite testimonies is that of Horatio Spafford.
He penned these words in the midst of what many would call extreme tragedy.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

May God help us all not to despise or withdraw from these "fiery trials", as Peter called them, because they bring good things for us and out of us all.

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. 1Peter 4:12&13 The Message

Thanks for posting this SIE, my day is sure to be wonderful with this thread in mind now. God bless you and your friend!

 

[s.i.e.]

I wondered why the word "writing" was underlined... it says "Moses is commanded "to write for a memorial in a book" (Ex. 17:14)

I'm listening...

Can you connect the dots on this one a bit more? I'm trying to understand what you're saying, or what you're seeing in this. Thanks Coconut

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. 1Peter 4:12&13 The Message

I love that, jiggy...that's good. Ah yes..."me" of little faith...

He is good. Indeed. "Lord, I believe...help me in my unbelief"...