Prison or Sanctuary?

Isolation. 

Loneliness. 

Disappointment. 

My eyes filled with tears as I realized that I was going to miss yet another special event, a precious event, because my lungs were weak once again. I had been in the house for a week and a half, resting, trying to regain strength to attend. But... I awoke that morning with weak lungs... again. There was no end in sight. 

The house could easily be my prison. However, I remembered these verses from Acts 16. 

Acts 16:23-25

"23 After they had inflicted many blows on them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to keep them securely guarded. 24 Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks.

A Midnight Deliverance

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."

Paul and Silas had been beaten and thrown into an actual prison. Yet... they turned this prison in a sanctuary to praise and worship God. They knew that God was in control and loved them. They knew that it was all about Him. 

God encouraged my heart through His Word as I had my time with Him. God could make my home a sanctuary to love Him and love people. There are many ways I could serve right from my home, without going out.

Psalm 37:23-24:

"A man’s steps are established by the Lord,
and He takes pleasure in his way.
24 Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,"
because the Lord holds his hand.[a]"

My heart calmed as I realized afresh that God had established my steps. Yes, tears came as the way was hard. 

I had a decision to make which would likely affect my attitude in the long weeks of recovery. By God's grace, I chose to see my house as a sanctuary, I chose joy, chose to pray, chose to trust, and chose to praise and worship, even if I had no air to sing. 

His plans are not mine, but I know they are His best. I can trust Him as He establishes my steps and holds my hand in the struggle. He is the same God today as He was for Paul and Silas. I can pray and sing with them in struggle!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Grace and Satisfaction

According to Merriam Webster:

Grace. "unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification" or "a virtue coming from God" To put it more simply, God giving me what I do not deserve.

Satisfaction. "fulfillment of a need or want" or "the quality of being satisfied."

This morning, in the midst of a season not of my choosing, these verses stood out to me. (Emphasis mine.)

Psalm 37:18-19, 23-24
18 The Lord watches over the blameless all their days,
and their inheritance will last forever.
19 They will not be disgraced in times of adversity;
they will be satisfied in days of hunger.

23 A man’s steps are established by the Lord,
and He takes pleasure in his way.
24 Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,
because the Lord holds his hand.[a]

The Lord doesn't promise that adversity will not come. In fact, he says that we will not be disgraced in times of adversity and that we will have satisfaction in days of hunger. He will give us the grace in adversity. We will not be disgraced. And... even if hungry, we will be satisfied in days of hunger. 

No disgrace in times of adversity? These words hit me as my prayer is to glorify Him in the midst of this season. I am unable to do that on my own, but only through His power. He will not allow me to be disgraced. He will bring grace, not disgrace. 

Hunger will come. How can one be satisfied while hungry? Because we have God. He is our Sustainer. He will bring satisfaction! This verse speaks of physical hunger, but I believe it could also apply to those who have other needs. Perhaps the hunger is due to loneliness and isolation. God still brings satisfaction, contentment. 

We will fall, but... we will not be overwhelmed. Why? Because He holds our hands. What an amazing thought! God holds our hands as we go through the season of adversity!

What precious and simple promises to carry us through difficult seasons. 

Grace. Satisfaction. God truly does give unmerited favor and contentment no matter the circumstances!



Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers

HELP!

HELP!

One of the hardest things to admit is that help is needed. It can be humiliating and humbling. Why? Because of pride. Pride says that I can do it myself. Humility says that I am not sufficient in myself. 

For nearly a year, my health has been crumbling. Since I have dealt with chronic illnesses for 44 years, I thought I could handle it. And yet... no matter what I tried, nothing helped. My health continued to decline. Every day was a struggle to get through work and the basics of survival at home. Outside activities became too difficult to do or took much planning to rest for a couple days after the activity. Finally, I came to the place of admission that I needed help and reached out to my doctor.



As my doctor appointments approached, I asked God for wisdom and direction. Of course, I had my own ideas of what would bring healing. God in His wisdom had other plans and gently prepared me for them. 

The doctors were kind but firm, giving clear direction. I had to be willing not just to seek their help, but follow their direction. A year of striving to solve things on my own had to end. I had to give in and allow someone else to show me how to fight for health effectively. This is not easy. For several weeks, my life must change as I follow doctor's advice to return to health. Rest is difficult for me, but exactly what is needed along with learning new ways to handle the progression of the chronic illnesses. I must realize that I cannot do it on my own. I must be humble enough to ask for help.

Our gracious God does answer our cries for help as we humbly come to Him. Not only did God give direction through the doctors, but also is bringing refreshment to a very weary spirit. My time of rest began with a live-stream conference and continues with a study of the Psalms. 

The Psalmist often humbly expressed his need for help from our Lord. Look at Psalm 86, Holman Christian Standard Bible.

Psalm 86:1-4

Lament and Petition

A Davidic prayer.

1 Listen, Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Protect my life, for I am faithful.
You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You.
3 Be gracious to me, Lord,
for I call to You all day long.
4 Bring joy to Your servant’s life,
because I turn to You, Lord.

Just as I had to reach out for help and then listen and follow the given advice, we must do the same thing while listening to the Lord. 

This time of learning to ask for help is a time of leaning on our great God. He will carry me through as I lean on Him and not on my own strength. He is our Provider and Sustainer!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers