The Means
Some time back, I heard an inspired communion message by one of our elders, that made me stop and want to draft this addition. His message was, in my assessment, centered on how when we think the situation is hopeless, God can and has stepped in to change the situation. One example he laid out was Daniel in the Lion’s Den
“Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his Lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him. Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.” - Daniel 6:16-24 ESV
Certainly, to the reader, assuming they didn’t know the outcome, it would appear bleak to Daniel when the King commanded that Daniel be thrown into the lion’s den. The elder pointed out, using a chess metaphor, that God had another move. This was not the only example he used, and he shared several passages (including a couple of my favorites from Romans).
My addition is not to add to his discourse but to point out that God’s sovereignty was performed through other people and natural processes.
There are times when I’m praying to God for intervention that I’m hoping God will intervene in an almost magical fashion. You know, a blinding flash of light, a booming voice and whatever I’m praying intervention for, is transformed in an instant. That is how my brain and the present stage of my faith walk is.
Wouldn’t it be great if, when praying for the person experiencing a medical problem, they instantly got better and were able to do all their activities that they hadn’t been able to do because of the problem. I imagine hospitals would be empty and physical therapy (PT) offices deserted. But that’s not how God works. Daniel didn’t transport (ok, remember I’m a nerd so this is a Star Trek reference) out of the den and appear to the king. God made the lions not eat Daniel. It would have been cool to have an elaboration of the story to include cuddling with the lion but the Bible states closed their mouths.
The same is true today with the people in the hospital or in PT. God doesn’t instantly heal them. He requires a slower healing process and the involvement of many people. In my own experience with PT after a surgery, my treatment took many months and, although I had two primary therapists, I interacted with over a dozen professionals. In addition, I interacted with other patients in the waiting area and even just getting to my appointments. I have fond feelings for the professionals I interacted with during my therapy and assume I will for the rest of my life. That kind of bonding, for me, doesn’t happen easily or flippantly.
The elders message ended with three messages (again from my assessment, he might disagree). First, don’t ever think the situation is hopeless because God is in charge. Second, and this applies to my focus on hospitalizations and therapy, even if the outcome is different than desired and even if it is fatal, your hope lies in being with God for eternity. Finally, God has already beat the devil. We should take comfort and confidence in this!
So, the next time you feel drawn to interact with a stranger, it may be God working through you for his sovereign plan. Embrace it accordingly.
