The Works of God

Yesterday Dianne and I attended the God-centered, Christ-exalting service in memory of Mary Pearson.  If Pastor John’s sermon is posted at Desiring God or hopeinGod.org, I’ll let you know because you will want to hear what he said.

Pastor John preached on 2 Timothy 4:6-8:

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Early in his remarks he connected it with Psalm 139:16:

In your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

I love that section in Psalm 139 because of the picture it paints for those of us dealing with disability.  Every day is known; every human being is intentionally made.  And every one of us has an ending day written down.  God knows everything.

Later in the day, I watched this video on Pastor Matt Chandler’s progress in his battle with cancer.  His news was positive.  And he says things that we’ve had to say about Dianne’s cancer:

They’re never going to say you’re cured or you’re healed or this is miraculous.  They’re just going to be hopeful and continue to watch it.

This is a broken, fallen world.  Frequently it is hard:

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22-23).

One mother is called away from her four children and into paradise with Jesus after 16 months of battling her disease.  Another mother is granted more than five years and counting with her four children.  A young pastor with a passion for Jesus and a rising reputation is called to publicly walk through fire as he battles his disease.

And we have nothing ultimately to fear:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9

“According to his great mercy” – what a statement!  And what a hope.  Yes, we will rejoice!

Thank you, Father, for the examples of Mary Pearson, Dianne Knight, and Matt Chandler.