Prayer Journal
Friday, January 10, 2003
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." John 14:1
It's normal for us to be concerned about those things over which we have no control. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: "Man is destined to die once, and after that the judgment." (Vs 9:27)
Trusting God is the only way to avoid the anxiety that comes with thoughts about death. After all, we have no control over the date and time of our death unless we bypass God's plan and take our life prematurely. Even then, Scripture says we will surely face God and be judged for our action.
A friend recently told me that he had cancer. I could tell he was worried because the doctor diagnosed it was the worse kind, having already spread to other parts of his body. After taking a biopsy, the doctor sent my friend home to await the result of the tests. All my friend could do was think about his mortality, his family and what he would miss should he die.
This morning as I read once again of the encouragement from Jesus found in John 14, I'm reminded that worry is a symptom of assuming a responsibility God never gave me. God knew us before we were born and knows the moment we will die. I encouraged my friend with this thought: "A Christian is immortal until God says its time to go home, and when He says that, who wants to stay?
Today you might believe you are young with many years to live before you'll face death. That may be true, but you have no assurance of that. So, I ask you: "Who is responsible for your life and your death?" If you answer anything but "God," it's obvious the next question is wasted on you. But here it is anyway:
If you believe God is in control and you've placed your life in His hands, why worry? What possible good can it accomplish? Trust means to let go and lean on someone else who has proven faithful and trustworthy. For those of us who know Him, we know that Jesus is all that and more.
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes
from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New
York International Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2003
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries - All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
