Trusting God While I Wait for Healing - Your Nightly Scripture - August 28th
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Trusting God While I Wait for Healing
Evening Scripture
James, Chapter 5
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Evening Reflection
There is an old story about a man hiking on a mountainside. Suddenly, he slips and falls, but manages to grab a tree root sticking out. He cries out to the Lord – “Save me, Lord.” He hears a voice that says, “It is I, the Lord. I am here for you. Do you trust me? Truly trust me?” The man yells, “Of course, Lord, I trust you!” The answer came back – “Then let go.” Without any doubt, trusting – truly trusting - in times of healing can be one of our biggest challenges, right alongside the illness of a loved one. The Lord’s command to us is the very same as to the hiker – “Let go.”
In 2022, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, a type of heart failure, and macular degeneration – all within six weeks of each other. My wife and I had no choice but to move forward one step at a time, trusting the Lord – and praying. We had to learn to live out what we said we believed – otherwise, what would our testimony be worth? Yes, there are certainly more events in our lives that can require healing than simply severe illness. Loss of a loved one. Betrayal. Crushed dreams. Unexpected job loss. And so many more. But whatever the circumstance from which you are healing, leaning into the Lord, trusting in Him, is always the answer.
James tells us to be patient and persevere in the face of suffering – and to pray. Staying close to God is the key to perseverance – meaning, we are never away from God, and God is always near to us. We can trust that God will get us through and get us home. Our faith - our trust - in the Lord is invaluable and irreplaceable. We may not always understand His ways, but when things go wrong, as they sometimes will, that trust will see us through even the most difficult of circumstances. He is always there for us and always will be. What more could we ask?
Evening Prayer
Father,
Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for your strength in the difficult times of my life. When I am feeling weak, please help me renew my trust in you. I won’t always understand or know what lies ahead, but I know you will be there with me, and I know you will walk with me through this.
Amen.
How did tonight’s scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture forum discussion.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
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