After spending eight days in the hospital with life-threatening pneumonia and returning home with the world struggling for answers to the coronavirus pandemic, how do I write a Sustaining Word? Allow me to speak from my heart. No one wants clichés, or an eschatological opinion, or pat answers. This microscopic virus is reducing the world to confront the basic meaning of life and existence. God created man to worship and glorify Him. For those of us labeled ‘seniors’, we have witnessed an ever-increasing regression of our nation into moral decay. Churches no longer defend the Gospel but succumb to culture demanding approval of their godless sinful lifestyles. We have strayed from our purpose.
My longtime pastor and mentor often told the story of visiting a widowed member trying to keep her farm going. As he drove up, she was headed toward the stable to hitch up the mule and asked him to come along. After getting the mule geared up, she grabbed an old ax-handle like a baseball bat and walloped the mule square across the forehead! Curious, he inquired why she did that. Without hesitation, “He’s one stubborn creature and I just have to get his attention every morning.” Soon after entering the ministry, I discovered the subtle message he was teaching me from his experience. Not with an ax-handle, but sometimes you must first get people’s attention, i.e. students, children, family, and congregants. Is the Lord only trying to get our attention?
If God weren’t longsuffering and forgiving, none of us would be here today. He told Israel from their beginning as a nation that He would judge them for sin and disobedience. However, before executing judgment, He always warned them and gave time to turn from their wicked ways. When they did, the Lord forgave and restored them. He got Israel’s attention in the form of invading enemies, plagues, droughts, weather, etc. He sent these not to destroy the people, but because of His love. He was admonishing them so they would return to Him before He imposed judgment. God has rarely shaken the entire globe throughout history. Yet, we can have no doubt the entire world is reeling under this pandemic.
The first question we must ask ourselves, “Has He gotten my attention?” Then, “has He gotten our nation’s and its leaders’ attention?” For the latter, we can only conclude the answer is no. This is not a political statement, but an observation of reality. Some powerful American leaders have not seen fit to acknowledge God any longer, and He has given them over to a depraved [reprobate] mind and they have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity (Rom 1:28, 29). This week God shined His light and manifested many that have plunged into this pit of depravity. Of course, we saw the ‘blame game’ and witnessed selfish demands by those concerned with their greed instead of the recovery for the nation. Ok, enough of that, you the get picture.
The following verses aren’t a cliquish pat answer, but probably the only answer in the Bible. When I close up the sky so that it doesn’t rain, or command locusts to devour the land’s vegetation, or send a plague among my people, if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek to please me, and repudiate their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. (2 Chron 7:13, 14).
I debated about writing such a personal conclusion, but the Holy Spirit kept reminding me that the testimony of my humbling and surrender might encourage you. I have encountered death on several occasions, but today I can tell you I have starred it in the face. Two years ago, Donna and I entered a place we’d never been. My physician diagnosed me with prostate cancer. Soon after the biopsy, an ambulance rushed me to the hospital, the first time in my life, with septic E-coli from the procedure. I don’t remember the first three days. My organs were on the verge of shutting down. Donna told me later the doctors weren’t sure I would live. Around the clock for eight days, I received at least three bags of IV antibiotics. What I remember was God had given me incredible peace, and I had no fear.
Two weeks ago, Donna rushed me to the ER. Doctors diagnosed me with pneumonia. Complicating treatment, an unknown bacterium, possibly a farm animal caused it. Only oxygen kept me breathing. For eight days they drew blood vials every few hours. I think I received every anti-antibiotic known to man. Every time I went to sleep, I faced death, not knowing if I would wake up. But God had taken away my fear of death. At home this week, trying to balance my glucose level with the drugs I am taking, was challenging. I’ve awoken three mornings with my sugar so low I was near a glucose coma. Donna and I discussed this one night, and both understand I might not wake up. But again, I’m no longer afraid. My only sorrow, when closing my eyes, is leaving my wife alone and knowing those I least expected have allowed unforgiveness, bitterness, and hatred to consume their lives. I must leave that to God. But that would be the thoughts I depart with.
I am getting better. Donna and I are locked away on our small farm, resting in God, and praying our nation would humble itself, repent, and seek God.
Sustaining Word for the Week: God has kept me. Praise Him, I’m still alive. He can sustain and keep you.