6 feb 2024
Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.” John 5:8
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6
Shalom dear brothers and sisters,
It's even been a while since I wrote. I was in bed with a bad flu. So there was little ariseup and walk for me these past few weeks. When I layed down on my bed in the first week with a high fever, various things about Jesus came to mind. Mainly one sentence game through my mind again and again: "Rise up and walk!". Beautiful testimonies that the Bible gives us. It just didn't happen to me. I remained on my sick bed and had to suffer with all the symptoms that a flu virus brings.
This path is also a path together with Jesus. He's there. You are not alone in your illness. Some people firmly believe that Jesus always heals instantly when you pray to Him. Jesus is absolutely able to heal anyone 'instantly'. At the same time, the Bible also tells us about the life of Job. We all know he was struck by the bone with pain and illness. Don't ask me why one person is healed after prayer and another one is not.
There are many reasons that people give for this. We live in a broken world with illness and pain. Jesus even said about the end times that the epidemics are increasing. When we say that you would be a sinful believer if an illness struck you, we would be like the friends of Job. They had their answers ready.
God is God. I want to humble myself, even though I do not always understand the paths I sometimes have to go through. For God is the One who gives horse power. God is the One who makes a falcon fly. I was not there when God founded the earth and determined its dimensions. I have not determined the boundaries of the sea. I'm not the one who makes the sun rise every day and sets it again at the end of the day.
Although I sometimes do not understand the paths I personally have to go through, he has taught me over the years that He has my best interests at heart and later on a reason often becomes clear why things happened the way they did.
“Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.”
Job 40:4
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
I received the words in Proverbs 3:5 from the Lord years ago. He wanted me to have faith in him, despite all circumstances. And that's what I'm looking forward to. These words make me arise after difficult times and walk again.
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.”
Psalms 86:11
One day the day will come that is described in the book of Revelation:
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their 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.”
Revelation 21:4
I'm looking forward to that day!
Maranatha, come Lord Jesus, Come!
Awaiting His return,
Natasja