Psalm 143:8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Today I am heading to the hospital for a fairly intense surgery. I have a growth on my left kidney that might be cancer. They are planning on removing that kidney today. This is quite an invasive surgery and due to my heart issue, brings some risks with it. I could have a heart attack while in surgery and even after the surgery. The stress of the surgery can affect my heart for a few weeks after.
I am not worried about the surgery. Obviously, I do not know the outcome of it. I am scheduled to go under the knife at 11:45 Manitoba time. The surgery is supposed to take about 4 hours. We are trusting the Lord to guide the hands of the surgeon and give his team wisdom as they operate. Depending on how the surgery goes, I may not be able to put out a devotional on Tuesday morning. It will depend on how my body responds to the whole procedure. I am thankful for the prayers of God’s people as I face this challenge in my life. I appreciate the prayers for my wife as well. Life has many uncertainties. There are things we face in life that we do not plan for. It is so important to know the true God. He knows all things. He knows the results of this surgery and my wife and I are trusting in Him through this event. Lord willing, I will try to give an update on things on Tuesday, but may be just a short note.
As the Psalmist was directed to write, it is important to know the lovingkindness of God. It is a blessing to know the Lord and to be able to hear His lovingkindness in the morning. It is wise to begin the day with God and to end the day with Him as well. As mentioned, there are so many uncertainties in life. There are important things we can know and have confidence in.
The Psalmist prayed that he might hear God’s lovingkindness in the morning, because he trusted in the LORD. The lost do not have this comfort and hope. They might wish for it, but they do not have it. It is good to trust in the Lord when things are going good. It is also important and good to be able to have confidence in God when things are not going so good.
The Psalmist wanted to know the way that he should walk. Everyone should walk in the fear of the LORD. We need to know Him and walk humbly with Him. God does not want us to just call on Him when we face trouble. He wants us to know Him. A walk is something that is step by step. Every step we take needs to be under God’s guidance. When we submit to His will, we can rest in Him.
I have had several meetings with the doctors over this matter, and every meeting they tell me some new challenges that they and I could face with this surgery. If I was not saved and trusting in the Lord, I could be a nervous wreck. However, I know that God is in charge and whether I survive this surgery or die due to it, He is in charge and He has prepared a place for me in heaven. He will look after my wife as well.
The Psalmist did what he needed to do. He lifted up His soul unto God. He placed himself fully into God’s care. Jesus stated:
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
It is a blessing to have Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Shepherd. It is up to me to trust in Him and follow Him. He gives eternal life to His sheep. The true Christian will never perish. Yes, death is real, but death is not perishing for the true child of God. Heaven is assured for those who truly trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and walk with Him.
In John 10:29, Jesus assured those who are His sheep that they are held in His Father’s hand. No man can pluck any child of God out of His hand. The important fact is to be a child of God. No one is born saved. No one is born a Christian. It is a choice that each person must make. Those who are saved are changed. As we read in John 10:27, those who are truly saved follow Jesus. They do not make up their own rules. They do as the Psalmist says: they lift up their soul unto God. They trust in Him. They want to be led the right way and they know God’s way is right.
For those reading this devotional, be sure you are trusting in the true God. Whether you live a relatively healthy life, or face some challenges in life, in the end we must all meet the same God. It is important to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Shepherd. Without that, the meeting with Jesus will not be good. He is the Saviour and Shepherd for the saved. He is also the Righteous Judge who knows all about each one of us. He is not a push over. No one will sweet talk their way into His arms. The way to know His peace is through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you are not sure that you have a right relationship with the Lord, you can change that right now. You can humble yourself before God and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you. You do not need anyone to lead you in a prayer. You need to talk to God yourself. It is not a matter of doing penance or something like that. It is a genuine seeking God’s forgiveness and blessing by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He shed His blood on the cross of Calvary for your sins. He was buried and He rose again victorious over sin and death the third day. He ascended back up to heaven and He is seated on the right hand of His Father now interceding for us.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Understand that if you truly call upon the Lord, you will be a changed person. He makes the difference. You will never regret trusting in Him. He will bless you in ways that are real. He will bless you with a peace that passeth all understanding. He does not promise a bed of ease if you trust in Him. He does promise eternal life and the fact that He will never leave you nor forsake you if you trust in Him.
As the Psalmist says, we need to learn how to walk in the way that God has for us. His way is not difficult or complicated. It is not designed to be walked alone. You need Jesus Christ to guide you. Every true child of God needs that. As you read His Word daily and meditate on His Word, you will know His blessings.
Pastor Bartel