Journey of the Sparrow: Providence

Providence

I met with the surgeon today to consult about removal of the adrenal tumor (PAL Present and Leaving - as I fondly call it). I really liked the surgeon, however, I will admit to frustration as it will probably be four to six weeks before he can do another CT scan and the surgery. I knew there could be a delay, but I was hopeful that it would be sooner. I have talked to his nurse about trying to fit me in sooner. I do believe God thinks I need a lesson in patience and waiting on His perfect timing!

The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind, but I have spent a great deal of time reading the Psalms, specific Bible passages and several devotionals. Since the beginning of the year I have listened to a very short daily devotional podcast with Pastor Sinclair Ferguson called Things Unseen (I highly recommend it). A couple of weeks ago the devotionals were focused on God’s providence which was a real timely blessing.

I do not understand God’s purposes in the cancer returning (or the delays), but I know that He has one and will fulfill it. John Flavel says that God’s providence is like Hebrew words which have to be read backwards to understand them. No matter what reasons I think God has allowed this my life, I can be assured that His providence is good and His purposes are not simply for me, but for the blessing of others as well. Pastor Ferguson uses the illustration of God painting on the canvas of our lives. He uses different shades and colors in each of us and at various times, but it is all used to polish our graces and bring us to the image of Jesus. All His providences, even this one, are worthwhile when it makes me into the image of His Son and brings Him glory.

So, please pray for me; that God would work His providence in and through me for His glory and to bless others. Also pray that He will cause me to remember His love that never fails and help me to respond in faith, hope and trust. Please be in prayer also that it might be His will to have the surgery date moved up.

Someone sent this quote to the blog. Think hard about that second sentence. It was a thought that has never occurred to me. May it encourage you as it did me.

“In the unlimitable round of His timeless existence we have never been absent from nor uncared for by Him.
The best proof that He will never cease to love us lies in that He never began.
What we are for Him and what He is for us belongs to the realm of eternal values.
Without this we are nothing, in it we have all.” Geerhardus Vos

Some passages that have greatly encouraged me recently:

Isaiah 46:3-4

“Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob,
    all the remnant of the people of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since your birth,
    and have carried since you were born.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Deuteronomy 33:26-27

“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,
    who rides across the heavens to help you
    and on the clouds in his majesty.
The eternal God is your refuge,
    and underneath are the everlasting arms.

II Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5: 3-5

Not only so, but we^[^c^] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.