Year of the Bible

With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26, KJV).

At six months pregnant, I found myself facing the repercussions of severe marital distress. As a result, I was placed on hospital bed rest until I gave birth—a blessed event that seemed incredibly far away.

Upon admission to the hospital, I was so devastated by what was happening in my relationship that I was too crushed to pray. All I could do was cry out, “Jesus.” Almost immediately, the Lord’s peace began to flood my mind, heart and room. Rescuing me from the depths of despair, He reminded me that He was with me, that I could face everything with Him and that His grace was sufficient.

“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7, NKJV).

He landed on our doorstep, without an invitation, nor in swaddling clothes. He answered, on occasion, to “Buddy.” He was a white, 40-pound fur ball. My wife, Jackie, lacked enthusiasm regarding this unexpected addition to an otherwise empty nest. She had never liked big dogs, especially at grooming time. She never liked boy dogs for the obvious reasons, and she did not like the fact that he was all white, too hard to keep clean. And to boot, he came without papers. By all outward appearances, this pooch was a loser.

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20, KJV).

Except for the cross, the most convincing evidence that shows the Father’s love is found in Luke 15:20. The prodigal son left his father’s house to travel on the pathway of sin. After wasting his entire inheritance, he had no money or friends. While feasting on slop with the hogs, he thought of his father’s house and of the comforts of life. Pulling himself out of the slimy pit, he headed for home, hoping his father would let him be a servant. At least he would be able to survive.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28, NKJV).

This verse has taken on many meanings throughout the course of my life. I remember first hearing it while listening to the radio program Your Story Hour. Throughout the story, the main character kept saying that “all things work together for good.” To my young self, this meant that, no matter what, everything would be OK, and nothing too terrible would happen to me because God wouldn’t let it. Of course, now I think a little differently.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11, NKJV).

This is my favorite verse because of the promise God gives us. He promises that He is in control of our future and tells us that He has a good purpose for us, no matter what happens. God takes on a proactive role in this relationship. We may think we know what is good for us, but He knows what is best.

A good father won’t spoil or harm his child. He may allow his child’s character to grow through difficulties, but that is to develop a good and righteous person. That is how God is.