He will sustain me.
Yesterday was one of those days when I fear the worst. Someone dying. A freak accident. Cancer.
I went through something a few years ago. In the middle of it I thought: If I ever get cancer, I don’t think I’ll handle it very well. Because suffering shows who we are. Because I had to learn how to lean on the Lord in trials.
On the other side of it though, I knew I’d be stronger after having gone through it. The next thing that came my way, I’d more readily glorify the Lord. Then there’s the fear that the next thing will come. To test me. And so I fear God.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” Proverbs 9:10 says. I fear him because of his power. But I also believe in his goodness and loving kindness. I think of how we discipline our children. They’re upset in the middle of the difficult moment, having been spanked by one of us, but they’re thankful to be in the arms of their loving, disciplining parent afterwards. They know it’s good for them since we tell them it’s good for them. So it is with my suffering and the Lord. I grieve the situation, knowing he ordained it, but I’m ever so grateful that he is near and holds me. I know it's for my good because his Word tells me it is.
The night proved solemn. News of sickness and misfortune puts, should put, things into perspective for the Christian. All the dreams I have all of a sudden seem small and unimportant. Annoyances day after day seem silly. What seems important, and what is, is glorifying God. Sure, I can do that while achieving dreams, but dreams change when you believe in the brevity of life.
My two girls love to sing, and they especially love to sing hymns. I woke up this morning. My eyes were swollen, my soul burdened. I lifted both to heaven. Then the girls woke up singing a few of their favorites.
Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love
And:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Then:
He will keep you from all evils
Behind you and before
He will sustain you, through this journey
From now and evermore
I listen to their angelic voices, and the Lord ministers to my soul. He will sustain me even when the worst comes.