My doctor called me on a Thursday afternoon near the beginning of August to give me the results of Wednesday’s bone marrow biopsy. He said I had a serious blood infection that needed immediate treatment. I needed to be admitted to Baptist Hospital before 5:00 p.m. After checking in to my room, nurses and doctors hurriedly began their work. Before I knew it, I had a PICC line in my arm with multiple bags of high-powered medicines dripping fluids into my body. Several doctors told us that if I had not gotten immediate attention, I would have died in less than a month.
I had been feeling bad for a couple of weeks but had no idea that I was so sick. Becky and I were scared, not knowing what lay ahead. We prayed.
Sometimes I was so weak that all I could pray was, “Lord, help me. Jesus, help me.” My condition was very serious. But God.–
Jehovah Rapha is the Healer. I am very grateful for gifted and trained doctors and nurses, a nearby hospital, and effective medications. I am especially grateful for my precious wife and family, who were with me every step of the way. Bellevue staff, Bellevue members, and others prayed faithfully. I believe God worked through these means to bring about His desired purpose. The Lord is still working to heal me completely. Therefore, He is the One who deserves all the glory!
In the early days of my 13-day hospitalization, the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart that I would live and not die. Knowing those words sounded familiar, I read Psalm 118:17, where the psalmist said, “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.” Those words spoke life to me. Even though I was still very ill, I believed that I would not die from this illness. I knew that I would live and that God has a purpose for this illness. He desires that I “declare the works of the Lord.” As one of my favorite songs says, “I love your voice; you have led me through the fire.–”
God has spoken to my heart many times since I was saved as a boy of seven years old. I haven’t always obeyed Him as I should have. Yet, He has continued to encourage me and prompt me to follow Him. The earlier song continues, “All my life You have been faithful; all my life You have been so, so good.” In light of this most recent experience, I am determined to “declare the works of the Lord” wherever and whenever I can. I encourage you to do the same. Follow Him, listen to His voice, and do what He calls you to do, for “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).