OUR HEAVENLY FATHER’S CARE

JOSEPH TAN, MINISTRY WORKER

PSALMS 34:4 (ESV) =- “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears”.

In December 2020, my left eyeball suddenly felt painful and tired. I thought it was just a migraine. But the doctor immediately told me to go to the A&E. As it was the day before New Year Eve, I was debating and giving excuses but a little voice in me kept nudging me to seek medical attention. The next morning, I woke up in pain, and my vision seemed a little blurred with coloured halos around. Finally, I obeyed the voice inside me and headed to the hospital.

At the hospital, doctor immediately checked and said that I had “Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma” and the pressure in my left eye was very high. He also checked my right eye and discovered that pressure there was also high. He needed to immediately release the pressure in both eyes by making a pin hole on both my eyeballs using a laser. If I delayed my treatment, this could result in damaged vision in my left eye. 

I was alone when the doctor gave his diagnosis. Wild thoughts flashed through my mind and being fearful, they crippled my trust in God momentarily. But I remembered praying, “God, please help me” silently in my heart. God was good. A close friend’s daughter happened to be working at that hospital. God sent her to accompany me throughout the laser procedure which returned the eye pressure of both eyes to normal. Thank God! 

From this incident, I continued to learn that God is with me, and He does not leave me alone in my fear.

s  Realizing that God is with me – I learnt that I needed to keep and hold on to His promises and acknowledge His presence. God is always with me, and He never leaves me. I went to the Lord for help, and He listened. He delivered me from my fear. I remembered Psalms 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears”. This verse reveals God’s heart and His power to help me in times of need. Remembering His love and care helps me to claim upon His promises. God loves me and brings me through my fearful situation.

s  Trusting God in all situations and circumstances – I learnt that when I am afraid and alone, I can bring everything and surrender them into God’s hands. I learnt to let go, wait, and trust Him that all things will work out for good according to His plan for me. God’s promise in Isaiah 43:2-3a says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God,” I learnt that I could put my trust in Him and can confidently apply His promises to my life. I praise God for His promises to me.

s  Pray to God – I learnt to acknowledge my weakness, and fears that are beyond my control. It is not easy, but I learnt to overcome them by surrendering to God. Believing that He is with me and will help me, gives me strength to overcome my fear. All that I must do is to surrender my circumstances into my Heavenly Father’s hand because Psalms 34:4 tells me, ‘I asked the Lord for help, and he answered me. He saved me from all that I feared.’

When we are midst of the storm, remember in Mark 4:39 (ESV) Jesus says, “Peace! Be still!”. The disciples received the peace too. So, do not fear the turbulence in life. Our God will lead us safely to the shore.

§  How has God cared for you in the past and present?

§  What has tempted you not to believe and trust in God?

§  How can you gain courage from all the difficulties you face; knowing and understanding that you are never outside of our Father’s care?

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your promises in the Bible that I can hold on too and, in Your love. You are always watching over and caring for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.