Thoughts for another day

July 10, 2007

Today's verse: Mk. 5:39. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The day before Peter had undergone a test for a minor stomach pain he had over a long time. Today evening as he received the report, his world fell apart. He had a cancerous growth in the last stages. His doctor kept telling him, ‘if only you had come earlier…’ He had, not much time to live. Just enough to set in order his papers so that his wife and two young children could live without the headaches of running around. He feared telling his wife about his fate as she would dread the coming days and he wished to die peacefully. That night, while in prayer, he could hear Jesus telling Him ‘trust Me’.

Peter had no option but to put all his trust in Jesus. Day and night went by and his light was dimming as he arrived at a fingernail’s distance of death. But even as he did all that he could to settle things for the sake of his family, desperately keeping his secret from them with lies and even more lies, he kept faith in Jesus. He knew his Lord would do something. One night, Peter sensed his time was up. As he slept he took a long look at his wife of over 12 years. His two kids sleeping fitfully and he thought, Jesus Lord, You asked me to trust you and I have done it despite the odds. Lord, I need more time on earth to spend with my family…Lord…his tears flowed on to his pillow in the night. He sensed a release from his body and began to move toward a bright light. Suddenly, he saw Jesus. Peter went and clasped Him tight. Lord I believed You and I know that even now I can live again on earth. And he also mentioned the above verse the Lord Himself uttered on that beautiful day, probably at Capernaum, to those gathered at Jairus’s house to mourn his daughter’s death. Jesus asked him, ‘Peter do you believe I can do it?’ ‘Yes, my Lord’, said Peter. Jesus smiled and said, ‘for having believed, Peter, I ask you to go back and live on earth for a while more, but sin not any longer.’

Peter awoke with a start. He felt a peace he couldn’t understand. He poked his stomach to where the growth was, and he felt no pain which, otherwise caused him to wince. Falling on his knees he praised God. Tests done on him revealed no sign of cancer, astonishing his doctors and the few people who knew. My friend, you may be in a similar situation like Peter. I want to exhort you to rush to Jesus. He is the same. Put yourself under the protection of His umbrella. Understand there is nothing impossible for your Redeemer. Give release to your anxiety and allow your problem to contend with the Master. You will see it melt away. For what can withstand the angry glance of the Most High, particularly that which dare worry His child?