The first part of my thoughts based on these words spoken by the Old Testament prophet, Daniel - "I stood up trembling" - are part of a previous
blogpost. In that post, I share Daniel's response to words of Jesus spoken to him in a vision. In that writing, I pointed out that even a "highly esteemed," godly prophet of God, can experience fear and trembling.
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| Christmastime 2014 |
Today I share some thoughts from a recent incident in the life of one of my son's. He lives in MI and loves winter - which makes a definite statement there each year. This son loves cold weather and especially the sports which come with ice and snow. He and his 4 year old son are often out on a hockey rink to celebrate one of the fun options they love during the winter.
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| 1st day of hockey practice for 4 year olds... so excited! |
Another winter option our son loves is snowboarding. Last weekend, he and many of his community of friends from his block in Detroit, headed north for their annual 3-day ski weekend. His son stayed with friends so Dad could truly enjoy time on the slopes.
But the excitement and joy of the slopes came to an abrupt, bone chilling end as our son somehow flipped backward and airborne in the direction of the corner of a platform!!! His left back slammed into the corner protrusion of that platform. The result? - fractured ribs, a broken left thumb, numbing pain and an ambulance ride to the nearest hospital an hour away!
We would learn of this accident from our other son who had "happened" to call his brother only to have a friend take the call and report that brother was in the emergency room having X-rays and a CT scan. That son called us and we began to call close prayer warriors, knowing only that ribs had been broken, there was internal bleeding, breathing was difficult but all else seemed not to have been injured.
Within a couple hours, the friend called us from our son's room and we were able to visit with our groggy boy. He was in much pain, on oxygen but lucid. Tubes were draining the internal bleeding.
Son, James, was admitted to a private room in the trauma section of Munson Medical Center where his oxygen level and all else could be closely monitored.
By Sunday morning, his breathing had improved.
Our son is still in the hospital but has been moved out of the trauma unit and is off oxygen. Tubes continue to drain internal bleeding.
The x-rays and tests all continue to show no damage to spine, back, neck, head, limbs, spleen, kidneys or lungs. Ribs sustained the force of this accident and are causing considerable pain but we are very grateful to the Lord that other organs were spared injury.
Our son's painful accident has brought additional meaning to the words, "I stood up trembling." James can now stand and walk a little but it has been difficult. I can imagine that he is trembling as he does so.
When Jesus asked Daniel to stand up, he obeyed though he may have been experiencing fear.
Daniel 10:10-12
10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
Jesus' words to Daniel were, "Do not be afraid."
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
I'm not sure what God is saying to my son nor what else he will ask of him. But I do know some great truth from Daniel's story.
- God knows the name of each child and calls them by name.
- God hears our words - those words are our prayers.
- God speaks to us even when we tremble in fear.
- God responds to our prayers.
- God does not prevent all things which cause fear.
- God notices when a child of his "set(s) your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God"
- God does not intend what he asks of us to cause fear.
I, also, take comfort from the words of Jesus to Daniel. I hear him tell me not to fear - even though I live far away from the hospital where my son is being treated.
Daniel's response and further instruction from the Lord is:
Daniel 10:17-19
17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”
18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”
When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”
More of God's truth:
- God is able to give strength to his children...
- The spoken word of God provides strength...
- God's word in the face of fear is, "Peace!"
- God has special descriptions of his children. His description of Daniel was "you who are highly esteemed."
- We can be strengthened by God's words.
So I pray for James and myself to hear God speak to us even as there may be some fear and weakness as a result of this accident. Perhaps Daniel heard an audible voice when God spoke. He did not have God's words so easily accessible to him as we do through the Bible we can easily open and read.
The same is true for me.
God: “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”
Me: “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”
