In 1981, I was diagnosed with a benign, but highly dangerous brain tumor. Because of where the tumor was and its aggressive growth, surgery was imperative. But the surgeon warned that this surgery could be life-threatening, and he urged me to put my affairs in order and say goodbye to my family in case I didn’t survive. My goodbyes to my beloved wife and twin, eleven-year-old boys was the most painful and tearful experience I’ve ever endured. I was far more fearful of their welfare than of my own. During this ordeal, I chose to meditate on the Lord and His promises. Trust in God won out, not because I survived the surgery, but because God was glorified through our response to it. In the midst of it, He gave us tremendous peace. We knew He would take care of us no matter the outcome.
When we experience difficult challenges like that, we often equate success, healing, or deliverance from the trial as the chief benefit. But God is much bigger than that. Others have gone through similar situations trusting the Lord but did not survive the surgery. Was the Lord still present and loving in their trials? Absolutely! Hebrews 11 is the great faith chapter of the Bible. The first thirty-five verses of that chapter regale the amazing faith feats of those who have gone before us. Those accounts all represent huge victories, miracles, and God-sized accomplishments. But in verse 36 a shift occurs:
There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:36)
As humans, we go through our life with limited vision. Hebrews 11:1 explains, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (NKJV) We must put on our eyes of faith to recognize the power and plan of God beyond what we can see or conceive with our minds. He is faithful. He will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5). Believe it!
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-6
Personal Application: What trial or difficulty are you enduring right now? Trust God through your ordeal. Pray for His deliverance but accept by faith whatever outcome He provides.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5