Psalm 118:17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

I think that probably countless saints down through the centuries have been encouraged by this verse, and probably will be until the Lord’s return. No one is on this earth indefinitely, but while we are here, our purpose is to fellowship with God and proclaim Him so that others too may know Him. We may or may not know the reason for our immediate troubles, but in a way that is beside the point. We aren’t to be focused on the troubles, but on the Lord who is far greater than any trouble, and who will take us to Himself when it is all over. The point is not to be anxious about any of it. That’s why Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) If we refuse His peace, we are handing the devil something that doesn’t rightly belong to him. Life on this earth often isn’t easy, and the devil uses that to try to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) We need to remember this verse as we resist him to the point that he flees. (James 4:7)

We are in the middle of another practicum on this truth. Cathy’s pain is at times so severe that she would prefer to just go straight to heaven, particularly since she’s been there once and knows how wonderful it is. However, between those times there are moments of blessing and moments of accomplishment, showing her that God has His reasons for keeping her here. When we decide that death is preferable to life, we set ourselves up against God, rejecting the thought that He has a good purpose in all that we are going through. When Cathy needs so much help at this point, that definitely impacts me. I too am not to complain, but rather thank God that I have this opportunity to show His love to my wife, and for others to see that love flowing through me to her. Schedules are indeed awkward, but God has the right answers for each of those issues as well. He told me years ago to rest, relax, and rejoice. Sometimes that’s easier than at other times! I need to be careful not to accuse Cathy, even when her actions seem illogical to my masculine brain, because I’m not the one experiencing the pain. I am to be an extension of God’s hands to her, so that she may come through this and proclaim God’s marvelous acts, just as this verse says.

Father, thank You for this timely reminder. Thank You for already speaking to Cathy that this wasn’t going to kill her, regardless of what it might feel like in a given moment. I pray especially that Your peace for her, that indeed surpasses our limited human understanding, may guard her heart and mind, for Your glory. (Philippians 4:7) Thank You. Hallelujah!