Israel and Anita

As I was filing my taxes this year, I was forced to look back on the year 2019. In January, my wife of 60 years was suddenly taken from me. She collapsed while walking down our hallway and went to be with the Lord. I was in shock and walked through her funeral in a daze as my children and grandchildren gave her a wonderful and touching last goodbye. Then a few short months later my third son Israel lost his battle with cancer and went to be with Jesus. I’ll never forget as I rubbed my fingers through his hair, he was looking out his bedroom window and his mouth was open as if welcoming Jesus. It still brings tears to my eyes. One of Israel’s sons, Micah, wrote and performed this song to honor the struggle Israel had in his battle.

Yes, 2019 was filled with much pain but in it all I give thanks to God who walked with me through it all. I can say with the psalmist –

“O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You? You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. Also with the lute I will praise You— and Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long;” – Psalm 71:17-24

And now 2020 has arrived and has its own troubles, such as political ranker as Democrats plot against Republicans and try to oppose everything President Trump tries to do, plotting against him with one lie after another. They are no longer the Democrat Party of yester year but have become self seeking socialists. They even oppose aiding the American people during its fight with the Covid19 virus. With over 30,000 deaths from the virus, states are struggling to cope but some, mostly Democrats, are using this emergency to broaden their powers by denying constitutional rights. Others are taking common sense actions by asking citizens to voluntarily forsake the gathering in large groups. However, it would be good to keep these figures in perspective, such as that traffic deaths in the U.S. are over 40,000 per year. And that the shutdown of the economy will also have a disastrous effect as well. While this virus is serious and the loss of life is regrettable, I have a word of hope for Christians, Jesus has come –

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
~ Isaiah 53:5

The Psalmist writes –

“I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.” – Psalm 91:2-7

This promise is given to “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High and who abides under the shadow of the Almighty”, which is where every Christian should be.