From Julie - All for the Glory of God

All for the Glory of God

Sometimes we may question why we go through hard times. I know I certainly have questioned on more than a few occasions why Rachel is going through this - why does she have to be sick? Why does she have to suffer? I have been listening to a great preacher Allistair Begg recently and reading a few of his Bible Studies. I first fell in love with his accent back in college and he still has the power to make me swoon...but the most important part is what he has to say of course and this week I read something he wrote that permeated deep into my heart. Here is what he said about the Glory of God (Taken from Psalm 107):

God's great design in all His works is the manifestation of His own glory. Any aim less than this would be unworthy of Himself.

But how shall the glory of God be manifested to such fallen creatures as we are? Man's eye is not single in its focus; he always has a side glance toward his own honor, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear, then, that self must stand out of the way, that there may be room for God to be exalted. And this is the reason why He often brings His people into straits and difficulties, that, being made conscious of their own folly and weakness, they may be fitted to behold the majesty of God when He comes to work their deliverance. He whose life is one even and smooth path will see but little of the glory of the Lord, for he has few occasions of self-emptying and hence but little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God. They who navigate little streams and shallow creeks know but little of the God of tempests; but they who are "doing business on the great waters"1 see "his wondrous works in the deep."2 Among the huge waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man.

Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road: It is this that has given you your experience of God's greatness and loving-kindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: Your trials have been the crevice of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as He did His servant Moses, that you might behold His glory as it passed by. Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance that continued prosperity might have involved, but that in the great fight of affliction you have been qualified for the outshinings of His glory in His wonderful dealings with you.

My favorite part of that little devotional is when he says, "He whose life if one even and smooth path will see but little of the glory of the Lord, for he has few occasions of self-emptying and hence but little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God". Well that surely means that Rachel has had many many opportunities to see God's glory and how glorious He is! And we have only a glimpse of His glory here on this earth - think of how amazing it will be when we see Him face to face in Heaven? it is too much for my small earthly mind to even comprehend! Praise the Lord He has so much better in store for those who Trust Him and give their lives to Him, I personally can't wait until I get to see what He has - I do hope the rapture comes soon!

Now for an update - Rachel had a really good week for the most part, she was feeling pretty good and very lucid. She was able to have visits with some close family and friends and really enjoy the time! We are all so grateful and hopeful to see this improvement in Rachel, considering how hard last week was for her. However, after such a good week, on Friday Rachel went to the hospital because she was having a lot of stomach pain and wasn't able to keep anything down. They took x-rays and it turns out Rachel had a very irritated bowel. Because of this, they told her to stick only to water and tea for 24-48 hours to let the irritation calm down. Now normally, this would not be a big issue for most of us (in fact most of us could probably benefit from 48 hours without eating), but with how think Rachel already is, it is not good for her to go that long without food. Please pray that the irritation calms down completely and Rachel is able to eat normally and keep all of her food down. Also pray for continued nights of good sleep for her and wisdom for the hospice nurses that come to see her regularly. We continue to trust the Lord and pray for Rachel's complete healing!