Psalm 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
As many who follow may know, I have had the privilege to know the Lord for over 40 years. During those decades, He has proved Himself to be a faithful, kind and loving Savior. And as I have learned to lean on Jesus, He has shown Himself to be a merciful Savior, never wavering, even in some very dark times.
This topical series will try to provide a snapshot of an ol’ fools prayers, the weakness and selfishness of his prayers, and the ever increasing goodness of God in His responses the those prayers.
I hope my witness to the goodness and faithfulness of God will be an encouragement to those reading, and will spur us all on to a deeper, more consistent time of being in the Lord’s presence.
Please visit with me as I tell the story of a faithful God and His care for an ol’ fool. Though David considered himself a poor man, I freely admit, I am just an “ol’ fool” looking to the Lord.
A Drowning
It was many months ago, as I was relaxing on the couch after work that the news came. I was waiting for my wife to come home for supper, but that afternoon is as vivid in my memory as if it occurred ten minutes ago. It is one of those moments in life in which everything is acutley focused, time somewhat slows down, life becomes so very serious, and the future seems to hinge on the seeming unknown.
As I said, I had come home from work and decided to take a few moments to relax on my favorite couch, when I got a frantic call from my youngest daughter.
“Dad – Theo drowned”. Then she hung up.
Now before I go any further, I need to provide some backstory.
Theo is my oldest daughter’s second child. The family is very outdoorsy, very health conscious, and very loving. The afternoon had started out at the local swimming spot, a man made lagoon, with a shallow sand beach for the kids. The family had been there often, and it was a perk of the development they had moved to. For some momentary slip of time, Theo ended up in the water face down. The father was immediate in retrieving him, and began to give his son resuscitation. (Thankfully, he is a fireman, and is skilled in this!) 911 was called, and the ambulance arrived.
But Theo was not responding.
His mother rushed from work, calling her sister – they are very close – and told her of the tragedy. Her sister called me, as Theo was rushed to the hospital, being worked on as they sped to the hospital.
And I was simply lying on the couch. All of a sudden, the perfect world of my daughter’s family was on the brink of disaster. The repurcussions of this tragedy would be far reaching. All I could do was pray. And believe me when I say that there was no formulaic rote prayer that was uttered out of my mouth. No coming before the Lord in any formal or taught manner of giving praise and thanks, honoring His name, and listening for His voice. Not at all.
SAVE HIM. SHOW YOUR MERCY TO THIS FAMILY AND LITTLE THEO.
Even as I write this, I tear up. Death is not a stranger to this family, and we have suffered in the loss of loved ones. But I ran to Jesus, as everyone in the family was running to Him, and begged Him to save this little boy. To save this family. To show His authority over life and death!
My wife got home and we headed to the hospital, not knowing the condition of the boy. We got to the hospital, and eventually talked to our daughter, hearing that Theodore was back, that he was coherent, and that the hospital wanted to keep him for observation.
My daughter and son-in-law were frazzled, but little Theo lay in the hospital bed as if he had just ate a candy, and was wanting to play a game. No effect on the boy. At least that is what we thought. We were just so glad that he was back.
Now as to the question of whether he had simply been unconscious, (yet he was not breathing) or had actually left this life, we dare not say at the time. It is not as if it was pertinent at the time, since we had the little imp back.
But a few days later, he came up to his momma, and told her that he had seen God. My little grandson, Theodore is one of many that Jesus has raised, not unlike that son of a widow, thousands of years ago.
Luke 7:13-16 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”
My friend, as I read that passage, I can now say I have experienced a hint of what that crowd, and especially that widow experienced when they witnessed the authority of Jesus in His command to that boy.
How can I express anything less than to thank Him for His many mercies, and to let those reading this post know that…
Jesus is better!
Yes He is better than anything you might be following after, chasing to get, learning of or wanting in your life.
Jesus is better!
Thanks for joining and Considering The Bible with me. Your thoughts are always welcome, and I look forward to hearing of the faithfulness of God in your lives.
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