Well, it’s been a red letter week! I am reminded of I Thess.5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Easy to type, hard to do! I mean, we all love to thank Him for safety, good health, good finances, souls saved, etc. But it’s hard to thank Him when we are ill, we’re in a car wreck, we’re broke, no one is getting saved despite faithfully going soul winning, and so forth.
This week we were in a revival meeting. We didn’t see anyone get saved, we didn’t have to put out chairs for attendance, and our neighbor churches of like faith didn’t come out to support us. (Back home, we would go to a revival in a nearby church of like faith to offer support. After all, we’re all on the same team! Aren’t we?) We felt let down. We’d prayed all week for the Lord to send lost people that would be saved. We were faithful and all of one accord but He said “no”, for now. We are not quitting! We will not stop soul winning, singing, smiling and living a life that is Christ honoring! I want to thank the Lord for having His way this past week. Was it what I wanted? No. Was it what He wanted? YES! This is His church, and we are following Him, so He surely did have His way, and I’m glad!
I went to the dentist on Wednesday to have my teeth cleaned and examined. I prayed that the Lord would please not let me have any cavities, or expensive work that needed to be done. But, I had a bad feeling about my teeth, so my prayer had some doubt in it. Again, God said “no”. The dentist presented to me so many things that had to be fixed that I had to fight back the tears! I don’t have insurance, and in case you didn’t know, I’m not financially wealthy. I am wealthy in many, many other ways though! One way is that I am saved. That’s enough right there! But it doesn’t stop there, I am blessed by Him everyday! So I can say “Thank you”. This teeth thing is a set back, but I’m going to keep praying and waiting on God to use this for good. Romans 8:28 applies to teeth too, you know! 🙂
The bottom line: I had some prayers answered this week! I hear you saying “But, uh, Valerie they weren’t answered! Your revival didn’t go the way you’d asked and you had tons of problems with your teeth!” You’re right! But “no” still qualifies as an answer! God answered…He said “no”. It hurts, but I will make it. I can make it, because I have Him.
By the way, I was hurt at first. If you’ve read very many of my posts, you know that I am right behind Paul for the “chiefest of sinners” title. I’m definitely no “super Christian”. I couldn’t understand at first. I wondered “Why Lord?” But, because I know Him, I know I can trust Him. He will take care of me. I love the song that says “And although there have been times I’ve been out of His will, I’ve never been out of His care.” He cares for me…and you.
I know it’s a little early for Thanksgiving, but I want to give Him thanks. I’m thankful He heard me, and that He said no. I know He did it because He loves me and He knows what’s best for me!