“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” (Hebrews 7:26-27)
Because Jesus offered up himself, we have permanent and perfect access to God. Jesus took on the wrath of God so that we could pray. He went through a lot so that we could come to God at any time. That makes me want to take full advantage of prayer!
Ian seems to be back to his old self again (for the last week or so, he hasn’t seemed to feel very well). Pray that the therapists would see regular progress at therapy.
Also, Ian’s 23rd birthday is tomorrow, so pray that he would receive encouragement for a birthday gift.
“The former priests were…prevented by death from continuing in office, but he [Jesus] holds his priesthood permanently…consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:24-25)
It’s good to know that Jesus is praying for Ian harder than any of us are.
Right now, our perfect mediator is intercessing before his Father on Ian’s behalf. I know Ian is continuing his lifetime practice of drawing near to God through Jesus, so that means that Jesus always lives to make intercession, or prayer, for Ian.
So if Jesus is praying for him, we know that Ian must be benefiting from this. So let’s keep praying for Ian along with our Savior!
“What we all desperately need to see is that the love of a holy God is manifested covenantally at the cross. In the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, the Father promises to receive contrite sinners on a daily – no, hourly – basis. The cross says, ‘No matter what your sins, unlimited mercy is available to those who turn to God through Jesus’ merits.’
Having satisfied the demands of His own holy law, the Father must open His mighty arms and embrace every returning son. And he must do it every day. He has promised to do it (Luke 15:11-32, 1 John 1:8-10), and God cannot lie (Heb 6:13-20).”
– John Miller, Repentance and the 21st Century Man
I don’t understand how someone gets through an experience like this who isn’t assured by Scripture that a caring, all-powerful God is ruling over all things. I don’t understand how someone can just be optimistic without the bedrock promises from Scripture of God’s favor. I have my questions and my struggles with why this happened. I wonder often what will happen tomorrow with Ian. What does someone in similar circumstances do who has no confidence of God’s favor in their lives? If I looked only at our circumstances, I would be convinced we had lost favor with God and that nothing good would come of all this. But, I have to hide in the caves of Scripture’s promises when each new wave in the storm of questions and grief batter me. How would anyone survive otherwise?
Sorry for the lack of posts over the past few weeks. Thank you for bearing with us, those of you that still are. Lately there haven’t been words for me to write or really say. I’m still processing this all and taking it one day at a time. I still have no idea why this has happened to Ian or why he hasn’t been healed yet. I’m not sure why Ian and I must sit by and watch as everyone else’s lives move on. Someday, I trust, God will give us those answers and he will reveal his purpose to us. Until then, we’re living on blind faith and just the right amount of grace that he gives us for each day.
Ian does have something wrong with one of his lungs. I don’t know the medical name for it, but basically it’s not inflating fully. He’s going to start daily breathing treatments at the house. It is reversible with the right treatments. I’m just thankful that we know what’s going on.
Thank you always for praying. Please consider joining us in fasting for Ian tomorrow.
We still havn’t had any results from the tests done Friday. Ian seems to be more himself but he won’t go back to therapy until we have more clarity on what’s going on.
Ian came home early from therapy again today. Tomorrow he is going to have a chest X-ray to rule out pneumonia. It’s still really obvious that something is wrong, we just need God to reveal wisdom to us. Please pray that we would be able to figure out what’s going on with Ian if it’s something physical. Please pray also that the Lord would encourage Ian emotionally and spiritually.
Ian came home early from therapy today because he didn’t seem to be feeling well enough to participate in therapy. He communicated today that he was in pain, but we’re not sure. We need God’s wisdom to know how to care for Ian because he’s not himself today. Please pray with us that God would show us what Ian needs and how to help him
