Pointing To Promises

Pointing To Promises

Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

Among my son David’s friends, Ben stood out from the crowd. He had bright red hair, piercing blue eyes, and a smile as welcoming as it was infectious. Like most young men during their high school years, Ben was eager to get out of the house and change the world. And it turned out that he would do it in a most extraordinary way.

I’ll never forget the day when Ben and his parents received the news: “You have cancer of the kidney. But with surgery, we believe you can be cured.”

That’s when things changed. The young men’s Bible study that both David and Ben attended was fairly typical, with a little teaching of God’s Word wedged in between a lot of pranks and joking around. Ben’s diagnosis changed these young men. Though they still had fun, the teaching time became more vital as they studied God’s eternal promises. These young men, forged in fire, began to sharpen each other in the heat of battle.

Ben, of course, was right out front. Leading by example, he used each day to share the love of Christ with others. The center of his witness was always the promises of Jesus. As a result, many lives were changed, and many people joined him in the battle.

When the surgical reports gave the all-clear, we rejoiced with Ben.

Four years later, the cancer returned. Though some may have doubted God’s goodness, Ben remained confident. Once again, he chose prayer and love as his weapons, inviting everyone who crossed his path to come along on a great journey of faith.

When others faced problems, Ben was the first one to offer encouragement. “Focus on the things you can control, and don’t get overwhelmed by the things you can’t,” he said. Day by day, breath by breath, Ben focused on the promises of Jesus, especially those promises of a full and complete healing.

This young man with fiery hair and a fire in his soul continued leading others to the Cross until his final breath, when Jesus fulfilled his promise to heal Ben completely and permanently.

TODAY’S RX

Never stop loving, and never stop pointing people to Jesus. His promises will always be fulfilled.

Lord, help me to be patient and trusting at all times, knowing you are in control. In my darkest moments, revive my spirit and allow me to share with others all that you’ve done for me.