Brief Update......

"Therefore, the LORD will wait that He may be gracious to you."

Isaiah 30:18

This morning, Charles Spurgeon spoke to me across the decades from his devotional "Morning and Evening."  I am so grateful for his faithful service.  His ministry continues, though he has been with Jesus for over 100 years.  If you are struggling with unanswered prayer, you might like to read the passage below.  I'll give a brief update after it.

"God often delays in answering prayer. We have several instances of this in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day—he had to wrestle all night for it. The poor woman of Syrophenicia was answered not a word for a long while. Paul besought the Lord thrice that "the thorn in the flesh" might be taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken away, but instead thereof a promise that God's grace should be sufficient for him

If you have been knocking at the gate of mercy, and have received no answer, shall I tell you why the mighty Maker has not opened the door and let you in?  Our Father has reasons peculiar to Himself for thus keeping us waiting.

Sometimes it is to show His power and His sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold.

More frequently the delay is for our profit. You are perhaps kept waiting in order that your desires may be more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire, and that if He keeps you waiting you will see your necessity more clearly, and will seek more earnestly; and that you will prize the mercy all the more for its long tarrying.

There may also be something wrong in you which has need to be removed, before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps your views of the Gospel plan are confused, or you may be placing some little reliance on yourself, instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes you tarry awhile that He may the more fully display the riches of His grace to you at last.

Your prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to your delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make you silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication."

Our good and His glory.  Amen.

Since last time.....

Blood test results have come back.  Nothing is showing up that would indicate there's anything wrong with any organs that might be causing back pain.

After a long process, I once again have a primary care provider who can refer for imaging, etc.  I have an appointment with him at the end of this month.

I'd appreciate prayer that he would agree that imaging would be helpful in determining causes for my back pain, and then that if there is anything that can be revealed by imaging, it would show up.

If there is no explanation, then there's no explanation, and that in itself is helpful in giving peace of mind, knowing we've done all we know to do.

Thanks so much for praying with us!