Tonight I was listening to a CD I haven't heard in a long time. It is by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers. "Only To Him." Very beautiful praise songs.
When track #8 started to play, I was suddenly transported back to several summers ago when I was "going through" some things and God used that song to minister to me. Here are the words:
- Hold me, hold me
I'm in the midst of the storm
Jesus, hold me, hold me
I'll be safe in my Father's arms
In March of 1996, I went for a routine mammogram and discovered that I had breast cancer. Not only that, but the surgeon didn't get "clear margins" when he did the biopsy; there were cancer cells right to the edge of the tissues he removed.
I had never before had a life-threatening illness, and my whole world seemed to spin out of control. I can remember how God strengthened me as I listened to this beautiful praise song and the one which formed a medley with it:
- You are my Hiding Place
You are my Hiding Place
In the shelter of your Presence
I find I'm safe
For You are my Hiding Place
The next track on the CD, track #9, is based on Philippians 1:6
- God is going to finish
just what He started
Even though the water's
got to be parted
Lift up your head,
don't be brokenhearted
God is going to finish
what He started in you
- He who began a good work in you
Is able to complete it
I believe that God strengthens us so that we can strengthen each other.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort,
Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Cor 1:3-4 - New King James version - NKJV)
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all Mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. (2 Cor 1:3-4 - The Message)
I just want to give glory to God and to encourage anyone who is going through a "storm." God is faithful. He hears and answers prayer. When we are in the midst of the storm, sometimes all we can see is the storm. But God is there with us in the midst of it. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us.
If you are a Christian and you're going through a "storm" right now, know that God is going to bring you through it. One day you will look back, as I am doing now, and praise Him for His faithfulness. Continue to trust Him, for He loves you.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1 - NKJV)
God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. (Psalm 46:1 - The Message)
The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.
(Proverbs 18:10 - NKJV)
If you are not a Christian and want to know about this wonderful God we serve, follow the links near the bottom of this page. God loves you just as you are, and you are His child even though you don't know Him yet. He wants you to come to Him so that you can experience His love. You are special just because He created you, and He wants you to have a personal experience of His love for you.
I give God glory that He is a God that answers prayer. I thank Him that when my pastor anointed me with oil and prayed for me that he asked God to prevent any unnecessary procedures. I thank God that the surgeon to whom I went for a second opinion said the cancer was "in situ" and therefore a mastectomy and sampling of the lymph nodes were NOT indicated. I thank God for friends who knew about nutritional supplements to help counteract the ravaging effects of radiation therapy and that I did not need chemotherapy.
I thank God for speaking to my heart the tenth verse of Isaiah 41:
Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God: I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (NKJV)
Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. (Isaiah 41:10 - The Message)
Most of all, I thank God that He held me safe in His Arms and carried me right through that storm.
And He will do the same for you.
Your sister in Christ Jesus,
Janet
1997
\o/ \o/ \o/
O taste and see that the LORD is good:
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
(Psalms 34:8 - NKJV)
Open your mouth and taste,
open your eyes and see -
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
(Psalms 34:8 - The Message)
