Friends

We are being blown away by the support and love we are receiving on a daily basis by friends near and far. Our family is caring for us well, and our friends are caring for us well. I am very privileged to work at a place where all my best friends are. These men (and their wives for Jen) are our closest friends. They care not only for our physical needs, but our spiritual needs as well. They are caring for our souls during this difficult time.

The senior pastor of our church, Joshua Harris, and one of my best friends, recently sent Jen and I an email that encouraged our souls. A portion of the emails reads as follows:

I just wanted to remind you that God loves you and your girl with an everlasting love--and these circumstances don't change that. Even though we don't have answers the cross shows us God's heart for us and his purpose and power to redeem all suffering.

I wanted to pass on two questions from the Heidelberg Catechism that encouraged me recently. I hope they encourage your soul...

27. Q. What do you understand by the providence of God?

A. God's providence is His almighty and ever present power,[1] whereby, as with His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth and all creatures,[2] and so governs them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty,[3] indeed, all things, come not by chance[4] but by His fatherly hand.[5]

[1] Jer. 23:23, 24; Acts 17:24-28. [2] Heb. 1:3. [3] Jer. 5:24; Acts 14:15-17; John 9:3; Prov. 22:2. [4] Prov. 16:33. [5] Matt. 10:29.

28. Q. What does it benefit us to know that God has created all things and still upholds them by His providence?

A. We can be patient in adversity,[1] thankful in prosperity,[2] and with a view to the future we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate us from His love;[3] for all creatures are so completely in His hand that without His will they cannot so much as move.[4]

[1] Job. 1:21, 22; Ps. 39:10; James 1:3. [2] Deut. 8:10; I Thess. 5:18. [3] Ps. 55:22; Rom. 5:3-5; 8:38, 39. [4] Job 1:12; 2:6; Prov. 21:1; Acts 17:24-28.

Our great God is governing every cell in this universe. Be patient in this adversity, brother. Be strong in the Lord. He will sustain you day by day. And we’re going to walk this road with you. You’re not alone.

The truth of who God is and how he relates to this created world are sustaining us everyday. We are headed to Hopkins in a few hours to begin preparatory treatment for surgery. We should learn more today about what this week will look.

Dave