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The hard experiences of life are not wasted with God. My needs on a visit to Ethiopia reminded me of this. What the team of Christ-followers from the U. S. and Ethiopia shared there made a way for God to remind me often that He is living in our midst. By His Spirit working in us, He works His perfect will for us in spite of and through hard times.
While in Ethiopia, our U. S. part of the team was introduced by the Ethiopian part to rural areas around Jemma. We met friendliness within great needs, which every Christian ministry knows. But near the end of one day-trip far from where we stayed, I developed dehydration and a fever. Diarrhea took over that night. It was misery!
Two women of the team came to my room the next day and sat on the bed. They comforted me, prayed for me, and offered any help I might need. The next evening about supper time I felt better and joined the team at dinner. I ate some rice. The Ethiopian who was our leader and had driven one of the SUVs miles and miles every day came over to the table where I was. "Jean, glad you could join us; you're better."
I said I felt grateful to everyone for their prayers for me. He took his hand from my shoulder and stood back a little, a serious expression on his face: "Jean," he said, "Jesus is alive." He put the same emphasis on each word.
The truth he spoke, I already knew; yet somehow now they ring more boldly in my head and heart. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ is thought of as "alive in the heavens," "alive over (above) all creation," and "over (above) all the universe." Sometimes we think we worship Him from afar. Yet ultimately, dear church, "Jesus is alive!" He is here, now. He said, didn't He, "I will never leave you nor forsake you"? He keeps every promise. He is here by the Holy Spirit.
When Christians meet, they do not keep a memorial. Rather, they worship the living God-Jesus, God with us. As followers believing in Christ, we draw close to worship the living Lord! God's people everywhere in this world share divine relationship with the living Lord. It is the living Lord we trust for this living salvation and bearing of good, living, lasting fruit in this world of woes.
"We love You, Lord!" We worship from our hearts the living God. He is in our midst when we gather together, and He is with us when we are alone. "We praise and glorify Your holy name, Jesus."
A divine and glorious mystery is here for us to see into, while we eagerly await the bodily return of Jesus Christ to the earth. Then, we will see Him with physical eyes. Now, however we do see Him! He has opened our spiritual eyes. By the Holy Spirit till that Day of His return to us in His glorified body, we eagerly see the Lord through the eyes of living faith. Faith is "the evidence of things not seen..." (Hebrews 11:1). Not yet seen with our physical eyes.
Jesus is alive! Are you sick, weary, in great need, discouraged, despairing, sorely tempted, or nearly losing hope? I pray for you now as I write. Jesus hears what my heart is saying to Him. I do not know you or your specific need. He knows. If you believe in Him, then you know the living Lord Jesus Christ who loves His own will do it.
The living Christ answers in the midst of our needs. Those who trust in Him will receive the best answers whatever happens. Wait upon the living Lord, and you will not be disappointed. Jesus is alive!
1I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
3I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
5The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
6In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears....
46The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Information for you: Italics added in verse 46, Psalm 18 above. To read the entire Psalm, there is a link there for you.
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