A Promise Fulfilled
Joyce C. Lock
As young people often tend to feel invincible, my daughter would be employed
two and three places at a time. Being born flat-footed, her feet didn't
always cooperate.
In time, x-rays proved her bones had actually moved to
where they were laying side by side (instead of on top of each
other). Additionally, there were bone spurs.
Joints throughout her
body would swell, and doctors had failed in diagnosing it. Shoes often
created too much pain to wear. Medical tests required funds that were
otherwise needed.
Becoming a common thing for her to run to the basement
to put clothes into the dryer, only to find her sitting at the bottom
of the basement steps crying (not being able to climb back up the stairs),
we began to supply a wheel chair for outings.
Having no insurance and two
young boys to provide for (not being able to take 6 mos. off work), God would
provide her with feet just long enough to finish a shift.
Though
having been a person with a heart for the needs of others, she was never able
to manage her own spiritual walk.
Finally realizing God had allowed this
to physically happen, so we'd realize her spiritual condition was an
infirmity, I began to research scripture.
If two shall agree on earth
as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my
Father which is in heaven, Mt. 18:19.
The verse God gave us was this
...
"Make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be
turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." He.12:13
Receiving
that verse as God's instruction to teach the straight gate, she then began to
walk both spiritually & physically.
Setting out to fulfill the
required condition, we focused on listening for God and receiving His every
next step of instruction - to not follow the laws in ink, but seeking to
know God's heart.
Already knowing she had the gift of prophecy, her
abilities became more refined. As long as her focus was on God,
she'd continue improving. Seeking God with your whole heart, He
reveals himself to you, Je. 29:13. A few months into this journey, and she
began experiencing God in newfound ways.
The following months were so
exciting, she could hardly put God's Word down! She'd say, "Oh, this is so
neat! I have to tell you what I found! I finally understand this!" ... as
the phone would ring all hours of the night (being about to burst just to
tell the wonderful truths of God).
From the day God began revealing
Himself, she's had no desire to turn back ... and has had to separate from
whomever would hold her to the Biblical laws (as both physical and
spiritual conditions otherwise begin deteriorating).
There's no
medical explanation as to how it's possible for her to walk, as surgeries
were never done - or bones healed. Today, she is a walking testimony (both
spiritually and literally) that you 'can' walk, if you keep your eyes on God.
He isn't dead. He'll tell you when and which laws apply to accomplish His
purpose.
God kept His word ...
If my people, which are called by
my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Ch. 7:14
As the ability to stay
home with her children was thereafter provided for, God even fulfilled a
promise that wasn't sought.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us, if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Ep.
3:20
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed, Ja.1:6. And
whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and
do those things that are pleasing in his sight. I Jn. 3:22
And this is
the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to
his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. I Jn.
5:15
See Also:
Petitioning for Your Needs
Human beings are blessed with a unique gift: the gift of prayer or petition
to the Infinite for our needs. A religious person would call it prayer;
others may call it petition or meditation.
Do You Experience God?
We experience God when our deepest intention is to be loving rather than controlling. Inner emptiness is the result of not experiencing God due to controlling behavior.
Three Ways to Develop Our Faith in Christ
We can develop our faith in Christ by hearing the word, studying the
word, and praying for understanding of the word of God.
