Our God is Omniscient. This means He is all knowing. Did God know that this devastating death of my loved one was going to occur? Of course He did, before the foundation of the world. God knew the day that my loved one was going to die before they were even formed in their mother’s womb.
Did I know? Not even in my wildest dreams or imagination could I have for-seen this tragedy. In God’s Mercy and Grace I would like to show you just how He proactively prepared me. I will share this in reverse chronological order.
The day before the devastation I was sitting in my yard talking to the LORD. I asked Him if I was to share in His suffering by sharing in the suffering of others or if I would be sharing in His suffering by personally suffering. Little did I know that the very next day the answer would be made perfectly clear to me. The answer is both. Life changes in a moment. Are we ready to meet our Maker? We can be. Jesus is the Only Way.
The week prior, I had this sudden “addiction” to watching You Tube videos of Pastor Francis Chan. I don’t even hardly ever watch You Tube. These videos just showed up on my smart phone. Over 40 of them. Day after day I watched his videos dating from the current year back to previous years. Many, many of them talked about suffering. I had read his book, “Crazy Love” years ago. But now all of a sudden I had this need to watch his videos from morning to night. God was building up my faith. He was proactively preparing me and I had no idea.
Approximately 2 weeks prior, I had gone to a conference held by “Voice of the Martyrs” (VOM). They spoke of the suffering of many Christians in many countries who suffered overwhelming persecution and many were, (and are today still being) martyred for their faith in Christ. My situation will in no way ever begin to compare to theirs. (God is not the God of comparison, He is the God of the individual.) Yet I was blessed to be able to participate in a minute way in their suffering and with helping the VOM currently. I had also just recently watched the video over and over of the life and suffering of Reverend Richard Wurmbrand and his wife for Christ. They are the founders of VOM. I had read his book “Tortured for Christ” decades ago when I had first gotten saved/accepted Jesus Christ as my LORD and Savior.
I now find comfort in the programs of TBN/Trinity Broadcasting Network and other Christian Networks and programs as I always have for all of these years. I especially find comfort in watching John Gray and Beth Moore at this time. God has anointed and raised up powerful, powerful Christian warriors to do His spiritual warfare using His weapon of LOVE against the powers of evil and darkness.
Over the last months, I had been so very blessed to be able to attend many many Christian conferences and church meetings. Once again to build up my Christian faith and character and strength in the LORD. I did not know then how much I would need this.
I had even started attending a class teaching me how to volunteer as a grief and crisis counselor at my church. I also pledged that I would faithfully pray and fast for particular Christians who are in the front lines for Christ in their nations. And also to pray for a particular section of a particular nation to be won over for Christ. How many of us know that when we are actively doing the will of our Heavenly Father; satan and all of the powers of darkness will wage war against us. How many of us know that they are already defeated foes because Christ won the Victory at the Cross of Calvary.
Due to the fact that as I have mentioned previously, I have been off of work for some months for surgeries; I have been able to navigate this tragedy without the added responsibility of needing to go to work and care for the needs of others while I am myself broken and in need of God’s Divine Healing. I was also able to make the needed trip to rescue loved ones and to currently be available to them from morning to night day after day.
Two months ago we experienced the sudden and unexpected death of another family member. This loss was at that time very sad and could have been overwhelming in itself. Now, at this time, that loss pales in comparison. That family member was older and had ongoing health issues. This current tragedy involves someone so young and so many family members who are so very broken. This includes young children. But I declare and decree in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that He alone will bring His healing power into the lives of everyone involved for His glory! It is all about Him!
At the time of the previous death, I wrote the following poem for the surviving family members with the hope of bringing some type of peace and comfort to them. Little did I know at the time that I was also writing this poem for myself at this current time.
FROM MOURNING TO JOY IN THE MORNING
Oh Death Where is Your Sting?
Lean into the pain.
You must not run.
Even though the pain feels relentless.
Embrace the devastation.
Keep it close to your heart.
Even though it makes you feel defenseless.
Reach out to others.
Who share in your grief.
Even though the grief is merciless.
Fall on your knees.
Before the LORD Who heals.
Without this life is purposeless.
Share hope with humanity.
Grow in strength and in faith.
So that your grief won’t be fruitless.
The “what ifs?” and “if onlys”,
will only defeat your own soul.
This task would prove to be useless.
Give Praise to the LORD.
Whether you feel it or not.
This sacrifice makes our lives priceless.
THE LORD WILL HEAL YOU.
HE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE.
YOU WILL OVERCOME AND BE VICTORIOUS!
THE LORD INHABITS THE PRAISES OF HIS PEOPLE.
I then referenced the Scriptures; Psalm 22:3, 1 Corinthians 15:55, and Psalm 30:5
I must say God is Good all of the time. His Joy is our strength all of the time. His Peace that surpasses understanding protects our minds and hearts in Christ Jesus in our times of brokenness and all of the time. He alone is our very present help in times of trouble and all of the time. To God be the Glory forever more! Our God Reigns regardless of the circumstances of life and all of the time!