Whatever Tomorrow Brings
And when you tell the people all these things and they ask, "Why has the Lord decreed such terrible things against us? What have we done to merit such treatment? That is our sin against the Lord our God? tell them the Lord's reply is this: Because Your fathers forsook me. They worshiped other gods and served them; they did not keep my laws, and you have been worse than your fathers were! You follow evil to your hearts' content and refuse to listen to me.
Jeremiah 16:10-12 (TLB)
O Lord, my Strength and Fortress, my Refuge in the day of trouble, nations from around the world will come to you saying, "Our fathers have been foolish, for they have worshiped worthess idols! Can men make God? The gods they made are not real gods at all." And when they come in that spirit, I will show them my power and might and make them understand at last that I alone am God. Jeremiah 16:19-21 (TLB)
Teresa Todt lives in Illinois. "You have an aggressive form of breast cancer." Teresa heard the oncologist's words but was unsure how to process the information. Cancer evoked terrifying emotions as Teresa faced a bleak future back in 2015. Despite her Christain faith, Teresa felt a gripping fear that seemed to hold her hostage, something she had never experienced to this extent. So she did the one thing she could do with this frightening news; She turned to God and to scripture.
As Teresa studied the Bible, God met her there. Night after night she found comfort in scripture. Even scripture she had read many times took on new and hope-filled meaning. Jeremiah's prayer of confidence in God, "O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress" now became Teresa's. Hearing God's word in scripture gave her the peace she so desperately needed, and eventually her fear gave way to a remarkable calm.
After surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation Teresa continues to be cancer free, but tomorrow is never certain. Yet we know that God holds our tomorrows, on this earth and throughout eternity. When Teresa turned to scripture in her time of fear, God met her there. And what she discovered eventually turned her fear into faith and her worries into a clearer trust in God - whatever tomorrow brings.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your promise never to leave or forsake us. Grant peace and comfort to those who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses, in Jesus' name. Amen.
