God’s Ways

Naaman the Syrian consulted the prophet of God as to how he could be cured of a loathsome disease, the leprosy. He was bidden to go and bathe in Jordan seven times. Why did he not immediately follow the directions of Elisha, the prophet of God? … In his mortification and disappointment he became passionate, and in a rage refused to follow the humble course marked out by the prophet of God. “I thought,” said he, “he will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.” His servant said: “My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash [merely], and be clean?” Yes, this great man considered it beneath his dignity to go to the humble river Jordan, and wash. The rivers he mentioned and desired were beautified by surrounding trees and groves, and idols were placed in these groves. Many flocked to these rivers to worship their idol gods; therefore it would have cost him no humility. But it was following the specified directions of the prophet which would humble his proud and lofty spirit. Willing obedience would bring the desired result. He washed, and was made whole.

Our plans are not always God’s plans…. In His loving care and interest for us, often He who understands us better than we understand ourselves refuses to permit us selfishly to seek the gratification of our own ambition…. Many things He ask us to yield to Him, but in doing this we are but giving up that which hinders us in the heavenward way….

In the future life the mysteries that here have annoyed and disappointed us will be made plain. We shall see that our seemingly unanswered prayers and disappointed hopes have been among our greatest blessings.
Conflict and Courage p. 228
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Prayer Requests
—– We just got word tonight that another one of John’s younger brothers has been diagnosed with liver cancer and given less than two months to live. Please pray for Mike. John’s youngest brother has also been diagnosed with throat cancer. John is sick also and running fever so he needs prayer as well. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers. Connie
—–Robert is suicidal. Please pray. A
—– I’m in need of prayer again. Depression is bad and has never left me. If you could just remember me please. Heather
—–Please pray for my daughter. She is going down the wrong road. She is very disrespectful to me and does not want God in her life. My heart is broken. Becky
—–Please keep Frankie and his family in your prayers. Frankie was one of the boys that was a the bad wreck and he is paralyzed from the waist down. He has been in a medically induced coma since Monday! He is only 16 years old! Mark
—–Please pray for fast healing for me, I’m in the 2nd day of a torticollus episode trying to maintain. Danette
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Dear Friends,
A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with someone about windmills. This brought back memories of when I was a little girl, my mother used to take me there during the time of the annual Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan. That place was always such a wonder to me. It was like stepping into a storybook. During the festival, the residents would dress in traditional Dutch costumes and there would be parades, craftsmen who made wooden shoes and various other articles for sale, acres of tulips to view, windmills, etc. It is a cherished memory.
Just as my mother and I visited many enjoyable places during my childhood, so we will someday have the privilege of roaming the Universe and seeing all of the wonders of creation. We will “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Rev 14:4
Think of it! Soon Jesus will come to take us to His Glorious Heavenly Kingdom. We will see our Dear Saviour face to face! He will embrace us and welcome us with the words, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt 25:34 Our Heavenly Father, Himself, will “wipe away all tears from [our] eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:4 We will “sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” and hear from their own lips the way that the Lord led in their life. Matt 8:11 We will meet the angel, who has guarded us since our birth and listen to the stories of the many times he protected us even times when we did not know that we were in danger. We “shall build houses, and inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. [We] shall not build, and another inhabit, [we] shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. [We] shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble, for [we] are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and [our] offspring with [us.] And it shall come to pass, that before [we] call, [our Great Creator] will answer, and while [we] are yet speaking, [He] will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat.” Isa 65:21-25 How I look forward to that time!
May we soon look up and see our Blessed Redeemer coming in the clouds to take us to His Heavenly Home where we all worship together around the throne of the Great Ruler of the Universe is my prayer
Rose