Thoughts for another day

November 1, 2006

Today's verse: Jn 11:4. This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. (KJV)

A few days ago, I was reading about a lady who was suffering from cancer and how she survived it and today is completely alright. In that article she wrote about all that she had done to get out of it and all that the medicines, the doctors and others had done so that her life was saved. In it she glorified everybody including herself. But to the one who holds everybody’s breath, there was no glory! Sad.

My beloved in Christ, God sends us trials so that something good may come out of it. The best that can happen is what Christ says in today’s verse, which is; the trial is so that God will get glory out of it. Rest assured, God will not send you a trial you cannot bear. His Word says, ‘No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial He will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.’1 Cor. 10:13.

Yes brothers and sisters when a trial comes, remember this. How you approach the trial will determine what results God gives you. About three years ago, I was called to pray for a lady who had a problem with her lungs and had to use oxygen continuously to breathe. Believe me, she had the pipe stuck to her nose constantly and the cylinder followed her wherever she went – to the kitchen, the living room, the bedroom, the toilet, etc. According to her, it was a necessary accessory. I spoke to her and told her to just throw it out. She wouldn’t. This was a trial she was willing to go down under. God’s Grace approached in the form of His Word yet, this woman refused to believe. Result: She is dead. Unfortunately, the trial ended in sorrow for God was not sought to be glorified.

On the other hand, I heard a testimony of a father of a girl who was just 9 years of age and had a fully developed malignant tumor in her liver, the size of a man’s fist. Doctors verdict: The girl has one month to live. Allow her to die peacefully. The father did not bow down to the trial. But rather He used the Grace of God to overcome it. Result: the little girl lives completely fit today. And everywhere the man goes, He glorifies God. When I hear such things, I remember the words of Christ above and my heart exults as would yours too. For really His Spirit moves powerfully when the Father is glorified. Now about your trial, is it going to end in Glory to Him or…?