Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.  1 Corinthians 8:6

Yesterday was another rough day.  I had a dentist appointment, met with my trainer briefly and went to the doctor.  Prior to illness taking over my life, working these in around my job and responsibilities at home would have been nothing exceptional.   They were minor adjustments to my normal routine.  However, yesterday, they wiped me out and left me pretty useless.  Some days, the thought of getting out of bed and simple routine tasks such as taking a shower can be daunting and insurmountable.  While chronic illness seems to bring with it a regular cycle of pain and fatigue leaving one feeling alone, defeated, and useless, other trials in life like the death of a loved one or a job loss can do the same until they are resolved or the critical stage has passed.  In an effort to combat those feelings consider the following passages about God and His perspective. 

By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb; My praise is continually of You. Psalm 71:6

God has been sustaining us since birth and we are not and never have been alone.  Sometimes God’s activity in our life is quite noticeable while at other times He may be painfully quiet, but He is always with us.  Consider both the time the Hebrews were in Egypt and the intertestamental period; God was very silent, but making preparations for new and extraordinary events.  Even as Christ hung on the cross and the Father turned from Him in silence the greatest work on behalf of mankind was being completed.  God was there, God was sovereign, God had purpose, God was faithful, and God was loving.  In our darkest moments when we feel utterly alone and God is painfully silent, He is with us, He is in control, He has a plan, He is faithful, and He loves us.  We should allow this truth to shine in our darkness and cause us to continually praise Him for His faithful care.

The Lord sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down.  Psalm 145:14

Yesterday I was defeated in many ways.  The events of the day which shouldn’t have mattered much destroyed me.  I didn’t get this piece written as I wanted to and I didn’t get any weeding in my yard done.  I didn’t even get the light household chores I wanted to accomplish started let alone finished.  Today is a new day and it has been better.  I still have more tasks to complete than time or energy, but God has sustained me and raised me up.  Further my outlook is greatly improved.  God knows that we will face temptations, trials, and the disappointments that leave us oppressed.  From other passages in scripture we know that this is to be expected.  Therefore, it is comforting to understand and important to remember that no matter what the cause, when we fall, He will sustain us and when we are oppressed and overwhelmed, He will “raise us up”.  God is the God of redemption and power, He will not leave us defeated or oppressed, but will strengthen and encourage us because He is faithful to His promises.

Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you.   Isaiah 46:4

For some of us, chronic illness has left us physically older than our actual age.  (Marie regularly teases that I have the body of a 100 year old person…and it feels like it.)  The effects of aging often inflict various health issues that limit abilities and activities.  Many become shut in and cut off from society, but even then we are not abandoned nor are we useless.  Note that this passage uses past, present, and future tenses.  The God who has sustained us in the past, will continue to sustain us, and will bring us to abide with Him one day.  In the book “Heaven Your Real Home”, Joni Eareckson Tada points out that when our declining bodies limit our abilities, we are presented with a time of preparation to meet our Lord face to face.  In that light, it is yet another stage in life and there is still purpose and value to our lives.  As a son, a relative, a friend and as an orderly, I have witnessed the gradual decline and death of many people.  Not once have I seen them lose value or purpose.  It is God’s view and I can attest to having seen that played out every time.

Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.  Psalm 54:4

Our one true God has created us to exist for Him; He will not leave us alone, we are not defeated, nor are we useless.  We are God’s workmanship created with purpose and that will continue no matter what our life circumstances may be.  We must rely on this truth to overcome our feelings.  Further, we exist through Christ; He will continue to sustain us as He always has and will one day bring us safely to abide with Him for eternity.  This too is our comfort in affliction.

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you.

Will

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