“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.”
Psalm 34:18-20 (NKJV)
“Kathy, I ain’t feeling so hot. I’m havin’ a hard time breathin’ and my chest hurts” is what I said to my wife on a warm day back in September. I decided the best place to announce this dilemma was while driving north on 476 heading north to Conshohocken Pa, doing about 65 mph. Needless to say, my wife was in a bit of a panic, after all, this coulda been a heart attack but what did I know, this pain had been going off and on since early April so I kinda was getting use to it…just not while driving my wife’s car. Anyway…
Since then, I have seen a few doctors, taken a few different medications, had a few very uncomfortable tests done and have received many lectures about taking better care of myself and they all included taking my bacon away from me (“Heathens” I say, “Dirty rotten bacon hatin’ heathens”). However, at the end of all this, the truth of the matter is clear. My check engine light is on and I better start taking better care of myself. All my talk of “I must be The Wolverine” seems to be just that, talk. But there has been one constant that isn’t just talk, God has had my heart in His hands the whole time, quite literally.
Now with the coming new year, I could be just like all those who make the resolution to eat better, exercise more and then be done with it all by Valentine’s Day at the most. But I get the sneaky suspicion that my check engine light will come back on, both physically and spiritually. Yeah, you read that right, spiritually as well. You see, I kinda think I may have been a little nonchalant about God being behind my notion that “I must be The Wolverine” and it happened that infamous day on 476.
“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
I’m one to actually believe that God is in control of everything, at least that’s what I like to actually believe. But as the chest pain came and went in frequency instead of seeking Godly wisdom, I had become afraid that there was an actual issue that was gonna need attention. So, as that became an actual reality I decided, “Maybe I oughta inquiry of the Lord and see what He says?” His reply was pretty simple, “Now that I got your attention, I got something that I’m gonna say. You may not wanna hear it but I’m gonna tell it to you anyway.” After that I had to confess that I was getting a little outta hand and needed to be humbled.
King David shared in those moments as well. In 1st Samuel we’ll see that he had received many accolades, “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands” (1st Samuel 18:7b). This can be found quite a few times in this book but then after that little diddy was sung, David would find himself running from cave to village to cave to village. It musta been nerve racking but as much as you can see him hiding is as much as you can see him inquiring of the LORD. He instinctively knew that God was gonna get him outta harm that was coming his way. His faith replaced his fear.
And so it is that even though many believers, like me, today might fear anything from physical injury or illness, to job insecurity, to difficulties in relationships, to political collapse, to new variants and everything in between, faith replaces fear. The apostle Paul didn’t fear an upcoming trial that might result in his execution, but he knew the Lord can remove all that woulda, shoulda, coulda stuff when we follow this advice…
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
I often tell folks that I write a better Freedom Fighter than I live. I actually believe that God is calling me out on that now. I guess I’m one of those who has to have someone else hit my brakes and remind that my check engine light is on. I praise God that its Him. As this year comes to its close, I’m reminded that, “Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” (Lamentations 3:22-24) Amen!? (Oh, btw, my heart is in good condition, PTL)
Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a husband, a father, has an education in Biblical doctrine and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can e-mail at cphughes515@verizon.net.
Think About This: “We need not fear that in seeking God only we may narrow our lives or restrict the motions of our expanding hearts.” – A.W. Tozer
The Daily Bible Reading: Reflection | You can download our 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
