Former Things

God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow. . . . For the former things have passed away.

Revelation 21:4, NKJV

“Great has been the blessing from consecutive, diligent, daily study. I look upon it as a lost day when I have not had a good time over the Word of God.”

Me, too! Me, too! That’s what I want to shout when I read George Müller’s words. When I read God’s Word, sometimes I cry, sometimes I groan, but sometimes I burst out laughing, even during a trying time. I do believe God laughs with us!

I recall an especially good time with God in His Word one particular morning after receiving bad news the previous night. I was home alone that evening when Dr. Melzig called. “Kim, I am so sorry. You are looking at a mastectomy. I know tomorrow is Saturday, but since Mark is not home, will you bring a friend? My wife will come with me since the office is closed. I want to put you on the ultrasound table and see how we missed it.”

Needless to say, I was crazy about my kind surgeon. From that day forward, Dr. Melzig went the extra mile just for me and was so thorough. I remember hanging up the phone in shock but not feeling alone because I knew the Lord knew everything that was happening to me. I actually slept that night.

What I remember most is pulling out my Bible the next morning and reading that the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4, NKJV). For some reason the verse struck me so funny that I laughed out loud. I felt as if our Lord Himself was sitting in the upholstered chair across from me, laughing and crying with me. I was reassured that He knew and understood that I was going to lose a breast, but He comforted me. I was held tightly in His grip. What a faithful Friend we have, who even helps us laugh in heartache!

God is Someone who knows exactly what will cheer us or encourage us. He knows our deepest needs right now as well as what we will need to get us through. Cry with Him over the bad news, celebrate the good news with Him, and cherish the fact that He knows you personally.