Thoughts for another day

Dec. 24, 2009

Today's verse: Judges 2:22. That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

There was this man who earned well and had procured for himself all things which the world defines as signs of riches. He had everything and so once when a woman from his church paid him a visit asking why he wasn’t attending church, he simply drove her away saying, I don’t need your God; I have everything and He’s given me nothing of what I have, so get lost. This was his attitude toward God and for a long time he stayed that way. One day, disaster struck – he suffered a massive stroke barely managing to survive but was paralysed totally on the right side, losing all functions. Initially his family stayed by his side. But gradually they deserted him even putting him in an old age home though he wasn’t that old, ironically with the same money he’d accumulated.

Then he remembered the woman who had talked to him so nicely a few years ago and suddenly he wished to hear her. He sent her a message and the next day, she was at his side. She told him about God’s love for mankind and all that He does for us in his mercy. Over a period of time, the man repented and accepted Jesus Christ in his heart. He learnt of God’s deep love for him and wished to know more about Him. So he started reading the Bible, even if it was difficult to read, the way he was. None from his family visited him and none bothered, but that didn’t bother him either. Miraculously, he regained use of most of his limbs and the more he recovered, the more he immersed himself into God. He also became a source of great help to the other inmates and every day, he did some of the very menial tasks in the home, although he had paid for the services. The man understood God completely and his only desire was to serve Him. His disaster had turned into a blessing and what a wonderful one at that!

From our verse today, it is apparent that God kept Israel’s enemies by their side so that every time they deserted Him, through them God could bring them back. So it is today too. God puts trials our way, not to break us but to test us to see how faithful we are to Him and how much we love Him. So, if you are in the midst of a trial, turn to Him and smile and say, ‘Ok Lord, test me and help me come out even more refined and more faithful than before.’