Pleading Divine Intervention Versus Submitting to God’s Sovereignty

We know the prayer so well. We recite it. We sing it. We teach it in Sunday School. “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Luke 1:2)

Only occasionally, during times of duress when life has sent us one of those incomprehensibly difficult moments do we really think about the words. We know, also, that Jesus prayed thy will be done: “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 42:22) With 2,000 years of hindsight, we now understand that his crucifixion was necessary. Only in moments of illumination (Maybe watching The Passion of the Christ?) or times of stress do we have a glimmer of understanding of Christ’s agony in facing his final hour.

There is immense release, freedom and a “peace that passes understanding” that accompanies yielding to the sovereignty of God against our human desires, our finite understanding of the situation.

On the other hand, we know well that God intervenes supernaturally in human situations even in the face of sin and failure. Moses recounts his prayer on one such occasion, Deut 9:25-29: "So I went down on my face in prayer before the Lord for forty days and forty nights; because the Lord had said that he would put an end to you. And I made prayer to the Lord and said, O Lord God, do not send destruction on your people and your heritage, to whom, by your great power, you have given salvation … Or it may be said in the land from which you have taken them, Because the Lord was not able to take them into the land which he said he would give them, and because of his hate for them, he has taken them out to put them to death in the waste land. But still they are your people and your heritage, whom you took out by your great power and by your stretched-out arm.

Moses had the chutzpah to remind God that people are watching, that the world (the land from which they had been redeemed) would judge the outcome. So today, will you join me in a two-fold prayer:

“O Lord God, send healing and wholeness to Victor today. We have followed your leading, have listened to your voice. The situation is well beyond human control and we’re asking for your divine intervention. Let this situation become a testimony in the community to your goodness, to your power, to your glory. I know that you are well able to overcome medical difficulties and we’re asking you to do so. However, God, I also acknowledge your sovereignty and declare wholeheartedly: ‘Not my will but Thine be done.’ AMEN

Phylis

11:00 AM UPDATE

Marta just called. Today Victor's temperature is 102 and he's bleeding internally. It doesn't look good at all. The doctors are talking about another transplant. Surgery isn't even a consideration with 102 temperature, so he can't even be placed on a transplant list right now. We really need a miracle!

Phylis


www.jccelgin.org/donor

Victor needs another miracle. During the surgery on Friday, doctors fixed a small leak in Vic's intestine. (No wonder he has had an infection that he couldn't get rid of!). That's the good news. However, they also discovered that the bile duct which has been giving so many problems is now seriously occluded and is impeding blood flow to the liver. Thus, the liver is showing signs of trauma. Should this liver fail, it would mean another transplant would be needed to save his life. Another surgery is planned today to attempt to open the bile duct. Maybe it's not too late for this liver.

What can I say? Please pray!!

Phylis

I talked to Marta yesterday. Victor continues to improve. However, the difficulties continue as well. Doctors do not agree as to whether he has a bile leak or not. Some say yes, some say no. Exploratory surgery is a possibility. Needless to say, Victor is not wanting another surgery. The good news is that he is now aware of what is being proposed. The infection continues. Antibiotics and anti-rejection drugs are a bit tricky to give together. The one tends to work against the other. Curing an infection without incurring rejection is a balancing act. There are absolutely no signs of rejection. The liver is healthy.

Doctors are also considering some sort of kidney procedure to spur his kidneys into action. They're thinking there may be some kind of blockage created by so much time abed. Sorry this is a bit vague. I only half understand what they're saying...medical terminology is not my forte.

However, this much is clear. Victor needs continued prayer. He is improving. Although the doctors are not sure what is happening, God has it all well in hand. Just keep praying: for his kidneys to begin working, for the infection to heal, for whatever bile leak there may be to cease. And we give thanks for the progress made!

Thanks again for your prayers.

Phylis

I have regained my taste for coffee. Does that mean I'm an adult again??? One interesting side effect of the liver resection has been my change in food tastes. Doctors said I could eat anything I wanted, but some foods have not appealed to me, mostly acidic or very strong flavored foods. (I've been in a bland phase) Among them was coffee, my former all-time favorite drink. For guests last night I opened a fresh bag of Nicaraguan coffee beans, added a bit of Mexican cinnamon bark to the grinder and , voila, a delicious brew. It smelled so good I decided to try once again. To my delight, I actually liked it!! And...as I write, there's a small cup of Carobou mocha sitting at my right hand! Note, small rather than the 24 ounce cups I consumed before. Moderation!

I've still not returned to work. I'm thinking maybe one more week, if the Dr. will agree. I still experience pain and fatigue if I attempt anything resembling a full day's work....a full week I haven't even tried.

Victor continues recooperating slowly. I haven't heard from Marta in the last couple of days which usually means that there are no significant changes. Major steps forward or difficulties she always reports immediately.

Thanks again for your prayers for Victor's continued recovery.

PJDH

Celebrating small things. Marta just called with good news. Victor was able to sit up today. . . for three hours. He's very tired now, and sleeping again. Progress comes in such small steps, but every step is to be celebrated. My continued gratitude for your prayer.

As for me, the question is to work or not to work. Or rather, when to work? The Doctor wanted me to wait three months which I adamantly refused to listen to at first. Now that 5 weeks are up, however, and I'm good for 3-4 hours a day before I'm exhausted, I wonder if he didn't have a point. As it stands I go back on the 13th....don't have the release yet. I wonder if I could possible wait until the 20th? the 27th?? Teaching is such a demanding job...there's no such thing as half days...at least I can't see how I could manage to do anything effective with a half day. I suppose this is where the waiting for God's timing comes in.

One day at a time. Today has been a good day.

Thanks again for your support.

Phylis

Victor continues to recover, slowly. The infection is still problematic; his kidneys, too, have not yet decided to return to function. However, he is much more alert and active. He really wants to go home and doesn't want Marta to leave his side. He's also restless and pulls at various tubes, tries to sit up, etc. Just a different stage of recovery. Doctors are optimistic for full recovery. Thanks for your continued prayers.

As for me, I'm somewhat like the sprinter who can't take a marathon. For short periods of time, I can do normal activities, albeit slowly. Then for a period of time, I sit as activities swirl around me, kind of like being in the eye of the hurricane. Or, maybe a better metaphor is hiding in the cleft of the Rock. Bob is still doing double-duty at home although I have resumed most of my responsibilities at church. Return to work? I'm taking it under advisement! :)

Thanks again for your prayers and support.

Phylis