October 30
Bible Reading: Acts 23:11
Acts 23:11, “The following night the Lord stood by him.”
I’ve sat at the bedside of many dear hospice patients. Day by day, life ebbs away until the time draws near for them to say goodbye. As one would imagine, I’ve seen lots of differing kinds of responses to death and dying. How is one to cope with that greatest of all trials? People typically experience much pain and heartache when they have to say goodbye to dreams and dear ones during those last steps of life’s journey. It makes a difference to know that there is One who knows and cares and can walk alongside us on that path. The promise to those who trust God is that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us (Psalm 23:4). That same reality comforted Paul— “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18). If you are compelled to walk an arduous path, its good to be accompanied by the One who defeated death and rose again (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). There’s much comfort in that!
R. Kent Hughes well summarized Paul’s circumstances when, as we read in here in our verse, that the “Lord stood by him”: “This was one of the darkest nights of Paul’s life. For years he had hoped to give fruitful witness in Jerusalem. But when he arrived, he found a compromising church full of legalistic believers who held him suspect because of his contact with Gentiles. Now his hopes of convincing the leadership of his people had gone up in smoke as well. His dreams of effective testimony to the Jews lay in ashes at his feet, and his vision for successful witness in Rome began to fade too… Paul’s heart ached. He was physically, emotionally, and spiritually tired…” (Preaching the Word – Acts)
The Lord was aware of Paul’s challenging circumstances. Paul didn’t know of the pending plot to kill him, but the Lord knew. He knew exactly where Paul was and exactly what he needed. And what he needed more than anything was Jesus’ comfort and reassurance.
The Lord knows of your difficult circumstances too, no matter how big or small. You may be soon to die (as with our hospice patients), fighting cancer (like my dear wife), or dealing with some other of the many kinds of trials we all face just by living in a sin-broken world. Perhaps it seems to you that no one knows or understands what you’re going through. But no matter your circumstances, and even if no one else knows or cares, Jesus knows and cares. He has promised to never forsake His own and to them imparts a peace that surpasses all understanding (Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:7).
In the tough times, and in dying, there’s no suitable substitute for the comforting and reassuring presence of Jesus.
DOES JESUS CARE?
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain:
O yes, He cares- I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near? [Refrain]
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief I find no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long? [Refrain]
Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? does He see? [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 