God's Promise

June 8, 2017

Day 154: God's Diet: 
"By these instructions you will know what it is unclean and clean, and which animals may be eaten and which may not be eaten." —Leviticus 11:47

Let me just say I am glad that we do not have to really concern ourselves with "clean and unclean" animals anymore.  All the rules that were previously imposed upon us have changed.  Anderson says that at the time that these laws were in effect, there was good reason for them.  "During that time in history, many of the restricted foods had significant health risks associated with them." Pork carried trichinosis and the cooking practices were not what they are today. "We no longer worry about these dangers because our cooking practices have changed. We use thermometers to test the temperature of meat to make sure it is thoroughly cooked."  The point that Anderson really desires to make in today's lesson is that God promises to care for his children if they follow his laws.

Day 155: Amazing Faith:
"When Jesus heart this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, "I tell you, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!" And when the officer's friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed." —Luke 7:9-10

Although Anderson means for today's lesson to be deeply encouraging, I can see how someone may not find comfort in it. He explains a bit of the context of the scripture citing that Jesus was amazed by the faith of the Roman soldier who stepped out of the hierarchy of the day and trusted Jesus, a Jewish man, to heal the slave.  It was uncommon and even dangerous for a Roman soldier to seek the help of a Jewish person.  "For a Gentile with a high-level military position, this action could have cost him his job—or worse." Anderson tells us to have the faith of the Roman soldier and believe that Jesus "needs only to speak a word in order for [us] to be healed."  Here is where I think someone may feel a little discouraged. What happens when Jesus does not speak that "word?" I can tell you what will most likely happen; the person seeking healing will feel discouraged that Jesus is not responding and/or the person will beat themselves up thinking that they must not have enough faith to incite a response.  Neither is encouraging.

Day 156: Losing Everything But A Promise:
"As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." —Micah 7:7-8

I've got to be honest, when I first read the title for day 156, I was not encouraged.  I have quite a bit of my life that is up in the air right now and the thought of losing everything (but a promise) does not fill me with confidence and joy.  However, Anderson's story is heartwarming and encouraging.  A woman named Loretta had lost her husband and became very depressed. The once beautiful and vibrant woman wasted away physically, mentally, and emotionally.  When she fell and broke her hip, Dr. Anderson feared that she wouldn't have "the emotional and mental fortitude" required to come back from such a fall.  During the most "acute phase," Anderson prayed with her, and though she did not immediately snap out of her depression, she made it through the surgery and it wasn't long before she was being praised by her physical therapist for her progress. "Three months later, she was back on her feet, and her smile was as radiant as ever." When Dr. Anderson told her that he was proud of her, she said, "I lost everything, except for the promise that God would save me."

I suppose, in the end, that is all we have: God's promise.  Deep in my heart...that is enough.