Theme of the month: LIVE HAPPY... TODAY

DAY 12: LIVE HAPPY... TRUSTING GOD

By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Here is an excerpt from an e-mail from Johan, a Verse-a-Day reader from Kazakhstan, in response to Day 11’s piece in which we are reminded that God’s ways are not our ways:

Johan: “My stepfather, whom I loved dearly, fell ill a while ago and was hospitalized. At the same time, a foreign minister held special services at our church. One night after the church service, the minister invited all sick people (or those who wanted to stand in for a sick loved one) to go forward so he could pray for us. I immediately went on my stepfather’s behalf.

The preacher prayed for everyone in the line. When he got to me, he did not pray for me, but moved onto the next person. I left, feeling very disappointed. When I got home, I received a call from my mother with the news that my stepfather had passed away after a heart attack.

I went back to church the following evening. After the service I asked the minister why he didn’t pray for me the previous night. He told me that God showed him that my stepfather was seriously ill. If he prayed for him, my stepfather would have lived to die a much worse death later on.

During the autopsy, they discovered that my stepdad had cancer. It was never diagnosed when he was alive. I now know that God spared him from that.

God is sovereign. When it feels like He is not answering our prayers, He might actually be protecting us!”

Johan is right. God always knows best. It is demonstrated in King Hezekiah’s life as well. Hezekiah was a righteous and godly man who reigned in the heyday of Judah. In 2 Kings 18 we read that he fell seriously ill. On his deathbed, he begged God to not end his life. God heard his prayer and extended his life for fifteen years more.

At first this sounds great. However, look closer to the fifteen “extra years” and you will find that pride entered Hezekiah’s life. He forgot to give God the honour when he boasted with the Babylonians about his wealth and possessions. Also, his son Manasseh was born. Manasseh later on became the evil king, deeply involved with the occult, which caused severe punishment on the nation. Would Hezekiah have been better off if his life was not extended? Quite possibly yes.

What are you begging God for today? Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the words in Psalm 46:10-11: “‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.’”

God is yesterday, today and forever the same. He is love and He wants what is best for your life. Therefore, do not try to kick a door open. Apart from hurting your foot, you might not even like what is waiting behind the door. Instead, rely on God. He knows the future and He will protect you if you allow Him to. God bless.

Father God, thank you for your protection daily. Help me to be still and know that You are God. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• See picture of Johan Oosthuizen on the social network, Fbook’s STORIES VAN HOOP page.

** Benescke Janse van Rensburg is a freelance journalist and author of the books, Ontdek God in die stories van mense, Wysheid-oordenkings uit Spreuke and Hoop in tye van nood-oordenkings uit Psalms.