Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/doctors/devotion/?day=4&id=devotion&month=7
Your Father who is in heaven will give good things to those who ask Him. Matthew 7:11
Most of you will know that some weeks ago I was hospitalised at very short notice. Lethal tumours had been found, so major surgery was the only answer, even though that surgery carried significant risks, and I was not at all looking forward to it, especially the post-operative recovery period.
During the crisis, prayers tended to be fairly brief and simple (although I guess it is part of my nature to try to avoid 'heaping up empty phrases') asking for strengthening of faith to keep trusting God whatever he had in store in the days ahead, and if possible removal of the offending tumours, not too much pain and torture post-operatively, together with comfort for my family. Interspersed with this were a hundred other thoughts running around in my head, like 'Will someone remember to water the side garden? Or look at Mr Blogg's X-rays?' And even, 'Does anyone know where my Will is?' etc., etc.
God had been trustworthy in the past, and I felt quite sure that I could trust him through this escapade also, but I was sensible and practical in my requests for the post-operative period, as I knew that this would be a bit of a trial by the very nature of the surgery.
However, as day followed day, I found to my surprise that he had almost completely abolished the pain and torments I had expected. The medical and nursing care was excellent, and this was an important help, but I realised with fresh clarity and great thankfulness) the truth of Paul's words: 'he is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ'.
In the Psalms, David sometimes sings of his desire to praise God in the congregation as a response to deliverance, and I am praising him on this page (as it were in the congregation) for my deliverance; and also for the faithful support of you all in prayer and fellowship.
The future is uncertain. There may still be further trials on the road ahead. Despite the uncertainty of life, we know even more certainly than ever, that God remains faithful. Even when we come to that last valley we need fear no evil.
Grant me the grace, Lord, when I come
to that last valley, to fear no evil.
Further reading: Eph 3:14-21.
KFC
(written by a 52 year-old Australian surgeon shortly before his death in 1984. We are grateful for permission to republish it from the magazine of his parish church, Holy Trinity, Adelaide, South Australia, in which it first appeared)
