"For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and
My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9)
We attended the annual Passover Seder of Adat
Hamashiach in Irvine, California, a week ago. We listened with
renewed delight, as the speaker again gave us information about the
four cups, the unleavened bread, the questions of the children, and
more. We were delighted by the familiar faces of friends at our
table and at other tables near us.
At our table though, two chairs were vacant.
Yvonne and her friend Gayle were supposed to be there, but as time
went by, it became apparent they would not be present. We
remembered an accident on the freeway we had passed and wondered,
was it them? Could they have been hurt? Genevieve, my wife, called
Yvonne just before the Seder started and left a message. Later,
there was a message on our office phone. It WAS Yvonne and Gayle
who were in the accident, and Yvonne was the point of impact when
they were hit! They had spent hours at the hospital!
When we spoke to her later, we learned that
Yvonne was in pain. An out-of-control car had struck them twice,
once on the passenger door where Yvonne was sitting and then in the
front. They were spinning around at high speed, and Yvonne
screamed, "Stop the car", because
Gayle, the driver was frozen by what had happened. So often, events
go into "slow motion" at such a time, with a clarity remembered for
the rest of our lives, and that was what was happening to them at
that moment.
In that long moment, Yvonne was also thinking
about Ron and Genevieve. She wanted to be at the Seder with us, and
regretted, as the car was still spinning, that she and Gayle
obviously couldn't make it. She didn't want to disappoint us. You
have to understand that Yvonne has a Doctorate in Religious Studies,
is the Chaplain of a hospice, and teaches Hebrew at her church. She
also has a full-time job for a nearby city, and is practically
impossible to "catch" for an evening out. She, of course, knew that
and wanted to be there for us.
In the phone call of the next day, we learned
that, despite her discomfort, Yvonne managed to go to church on
Easter Sunday (“Resurrection Sunday”
as Yvonne calls it). She was in excruciating pain, but her arm
still worked a little bit and she could maneuver. The pastor asked
for her testimony in relation to the accident of the previous
evening. She went forward in her church and told the people how God
had saved her life.
25-people went to the front and accepted the
Lord because of her testimony.
Who could imagine that an auto accident could
lead to ANY good thing? Nobody likes disasters of any kind and we
reasonably avoid them at any cost. Yvonne IS very responsive to the
Lord and that is a key factor in good outcomes. WHATEVER our
circumstances, we need to trust in Him. As the Lord said, "For
as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than
your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah
55:9). We tend to limit God in our lives through unbelief, often
without even realizing that we are doing it. He has no limits and
we need not fear.
Decades ago, Pastor A. B. Simpson wrote,
"He is the God of boundless resources.
The only limit is in us. Our asking, our thinking, our praying are
too small; our expectations are too limited. He is trying to lift
us up to a higher conception, and lure us on to a mightier
expectation and limit to what we may ask and expect of our glorious
God."
Yvonne is suffering. She has pain in her arm,
leg and back. She's going to several doctors right now. Many
people wonder about God - Why would He allow problems in the lives
of those who love Him? Indeed Yvonne does love Him and serves Him
with everything she's got. Let's suppose for a minute that Yvonne
continues to have difficulties - what would her response be? Why,
she would praise the Lord and thank Him all the days of her life!
She belongs to Him and trusts Him with all her heart. Life is
Christ for her.
Any pain in this life is only temporary. We
suffer for a few moments, years, or decades, and then, if we love
Him, we are to be with Him - forever! He gives much, and a key to
understanding was mentioned earlier in this sermon. All of us will
soon enter eternity, including Yvonne, who will be healed; will be
in the presence of her Lord, and be filled with His joy. But she
will also be with at least 25-people,
who, BECAUSE of the accident, will be rejoicing due to the testimony
she was willing to give.
Yvonne is "believing
the Lord" for her complete healing in relation to this
accident. We believe with her and encourage you to join us in
prayer for Yvonne, who is God's saint and heir to eternity, His
ambassador on this earth, filled with the Spirit of the living God -
that she will be healed right now.
But even more, may His will be done. As the
Lord said through the prophet Isaiah, "For
as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than
your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah
55:9). And we shout "Amen" with
Pastor A. B. Simpson, who said" The only
limit is in us." Our prayers tend to not be high enough.
Our thinking is too small. Our expectations limit His outcomes for
our lives. Let yourself be raised to a higher place in our Lord.
Trust in Him right now.
With that in mind, we lift Yvonne, Gayle, and
those in the other vehicle to You, Lord. We ask You to wonderfully
heal them of any physical difficulties that might arise from the
accident and even more, we ask that Your will be done. Comfort her,
Gayle and the others, and give them peace. We thank You for the
circumstances that led 25-people to Christ, and ask that others will
come to You because of what has happened. Fill them all with the
love and power of the Lord, and lead many to Your Son through these
events. Give them Your Spirit, and bless the ministry and life of
our beloved sister, Yvonne. In Jesus Name. Amen.
