I opened this morning to Isaiah 65:24:
"Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear."
There are so many times that God has graciously done this in my life. I would have a concern, a fear, a worry that I was bringing to Him. Before I could finish scribbling out the sentence to Him in my journal, or while it was still the first half of a thought-- not even yet a conscious prayer-- He would answer. And I would be in awe of His goodness to answer me before I could even get the thought completely out.
This beautiful song "Before You Call," https://youtu.be/JSIe9mwMzUk by Dafne Rademaker of the Vineyard Music Group incorporates this passage in Isaiah, and goes like this:
Come to me my people, come.
There's no need to be afraid
of your Father.
When I see you I will run.
I will be there.
I will be there.
Before you call,
I will answer you.
While you still speak, I will hear.
My ears are turned
to the cry of my chosen ones.
In my love you can rest in me,
for you are my very own.
So hold onto the hope you have
that I would draw you to myself.
I will never leave you alone.
I will not forget you,
I gather my lambs in my arms.
So I will comfort you,
and carry you close to my heart.
Now I am listening to this old song from my past. I originally heard it on a Vineyard "I Bow Down", which was #11 on their Touching the Father's Heart series. I am listening again, and I am weepy.
You know, many of my friends and family have been frightened for me. Frightened of me being in this place. This cancer ward. Two doors down are the where they do the bone marrow/stem-cell transplants. So I will likely be back here for that unless God intervenes. But you know, God gave me a scripture passage for this hospital stay. It's Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-30, quoted from The Message:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me. Watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
"Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." I love that. I had been anticipating misery here- to be sick as a dog from the chemo. But so far, it has been... well... it's been EASY. (Thanks God!) Side affects from the first dose last night included insomnia, tingling in my fingers, and a curious susceptibility to cold. Taking a drink of ice water felt like broken glass in my mouth, and going down my throat. They DID warn me, but I was thirsty and forgot they had put a 48 hour moratorium on cold drinks. That will learn me! Side affects from the current dose may include itching, fever and chills they say, but at the moment I feel normal.
This IS a place of Rest. This comfortable room, with recliner, writing desk, books, laptop, bibles, and journal. And my kids are bringing my guitar, so maybe God will bless me with a new song. I was anticipating misery, but this place-- is a place of Peace for me. And I have been meeting and talking with the nicest people. They are taking such very good care of me. So thank you God. "Now please make it a place of healing also?"
Not only that, they had planned to discharge me on Saturday, or on Sunday even. But now they may be able to discharge me tomorrow -- a whole day early.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
deliverance church, South City, Nairobi Kenya, https://www.facebook.com/dcsouthcity
Comments