Part II by Dr. KC
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me…I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” (John 14: 1 &18)
In the immediate post-myocardial infarction (MI) period when persistent discomfort and the possibility of complications arising from the initial heart attack (seriously abnormal heart-beat irregularities, re-infarction, low blood pressure or cardiac shock) are likeliest, God helped me to abide in Him.
Like a gentle Father, he reminded me of His love through this difficult period. Looking back, I think He had done this through two ways. O how I wished He would appear and speak with me directly, especially during that dark, lonely and painful night in intensive care. However, I knew from the bible that no one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, He has promised to live in us and make His love perfect in us (1 John 4:12). Loving one another – that was the first way through which God the Father showed me His tender care.
During the trip to the Middle East last year with Hope for MENA ministry, my family and I had met several brothers and sisters in the LORD, whom we are keeping in contact in prayer and encouragement. It was during that night following my heart attack while in intensive care, when the chest discomfort was so persistent despite much medication and I was not able to sleep as a result, that the prayers of my brethren were most appreciated. I did not want to call my wife as I did not want to alarm her after midnight so my only comfort when medication and sedatives have failed, was prayer.
Thank God for his children (and modern technology) that I could see the messages of prayers for me on my handphone App from the Hope for MENA team members from all over the world in different time zones. With prayer from the brethren, I was finally able to sleep from 4 am till 8 that morning. I was reminded of the family ties we have, when Jesus said: “…For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:49). What a privilege – to be considered Jesus’ relatives, by doing His will.
The second reminder of God’s wondrous love for His children was from His written word. We are taught by Jesus (no other religious leader and none before Him in the bible) to pray by addressing God as Abba (meaning ‘daddy’). Insolence – insist other religious leaders, but this was how Jesus taught His followers to pray (Matthew 6:9), and His disciples like John and Paul had followed suit, addressing God as our father in the bible. When I was suffering and in anxiety, what a blessing it was that I could call out to God my Father to help me.
If I had to approach Him as the Almighty, all-consuming fire that he also is, wherefore my confidence and trust that He will receive my requests? But praise be to God – through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ’s redeeming sacrifice – I can approach His throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:14-16), knowing that He will hear me… even after midnight, because one of His children was crying out to Him in pain.
Thus throughout the enforced period of rest after the MI, I could read the bible daily and be reminded that what had been written in scripture is exactly for people like me. (Romans 15:4) “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” And through fellowship with other believers, I can further receive encouragement (Romans 15:5,6) “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Glory to God in the highest!
My Daddy (God), my Brother (Jesus), and His Spirit - you will indeed not leave us as orphans. Thank you for adopting us as children into your family and continually assuring us that we belong to you.