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“Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name” (Psalm 29:1-2 NIV).

Read Psalm 29

When we arrived at my sister’s home one Fourth of July, we found our relatives in a somber mood. Nicholas, our niece’s toddler, was missing in the Wyoming Mountains. While camping with his parents and other families, little Nicholas had wandered away. Our hearts ached, and we fervently prayed for his rescue and safe return.

Many searched for Nicholas on horseback and by foot, but he wasn’t found by nightfall. The next day a canine team and the Civil Air Patrol canvassed the heavily wooded slopes and sagebrush meadows. When they didn’t find him the second day, we feared the worst. How could a 1-1/2-year-old survive alone another night at 7,000 feet elevation when temperatures dropped at night?

Nonetheless, hundreds of volunteers kept searching. Fifty-six hours into the search, one man stopped to pray, walked three steps, and found him-unharmed. Nicholas was sitting on his clothes in some underbrush, wearing only a diaper. Police reported it had been warmer than expected those nights. How we rejoiced and praised God!

In Psalm 29, David speaks of God’s great strength, saying His powerful voice controls even the weather. Just as God was sovereign over the thunder and lightning mentioned in this psalm, He spoke in the mountains of Wyoming and the weather warmed.

Twenty years later, we remember this event as one of the greatest miracles and answers to prayer we have experienced in our family. It reveals God’s sovereignty, mighty strength, and compassion. It appears God changed the weather pattern those two nights and wrapped one small boy in the warmth of His love.

Mighty God, we see the wonders of Your hands and realize the power of Your majestic voice. We praise and worship You and ascribe to You the glory and strength due Your name.

Questions: What miracles has God done in your life? Recount them, then thank and praise Him.

About the Author Lydia E. Harris

Daily audio podcast: Hear today’s daily devotional, Wrapped in God’s Love, read aloud on the Men’s Devotional Blog

“What?” my mind screamed. “What are you saying?”  But really I didn’t want to know.  I stared at the screen willing the baby to live.  A month before, we had seen the baby move and blood flowing to its heart. But now, there was nothing.

“Please,” my heart cried, “Please find it.” I couldn’t look at my husband’s face.  The world had seemed to stop suddenly and everything in my heart waited to hear what she had to say next. But there was nothing more to see.

Finally, I remembered my husband and that he needed me too.  He, too, was suffering.  I glanced at him in shock and then looked back at the screen, wishing the outcome to be different.

But it was not.  Just a few minutes ago, we had been talking about morning sickness, hormones, weight loss and suddenly I was talking about miscarriage and next steps.  I began to cry.  The technician was still probing inside and took a ton of pictures and I just wanted her to be done.  I didn’t want to see anymore.

So many questions

My eyes were rather red as my husband lovingly held me as we walked down the hall to the doctor’s room again.  There we talked about surgery and medicine and natural miscarriage.  We decided to wait and make a decision later that day.  The doctor was great.  She hugged us as we left.

We walked out, only to see a little girl.  I began crying again.  My husband took me to the car and we cried and hugged each other.  It hurt so badly that I didn’t know what to do.

We had told everyone we knew that we were expecting.  They all knew days after the baby had already died in my womb.  I felt so silly.  What a mess to undo.  My head was in shock and I didn’t know where to go.

But I asked God, “Why?  Why didn’t we know sooner? Why did it happen? Was it our fault?  Did we do it?  Were we ever going to have kids?  Could we go back to the office and have a second look?  What if they were wrong? Why didn’t you let the baby live?  Why did you take him?” These questions kept running through my head over and over and over again.

We thought the baby was a boy.  We had names picked out and everything.  We were planning and saving, hoping and dreaming.  What kind of God would do that?  “Who are You, God,” my heart cried.

Working through my grief

A year and a half later, it still hurts.  It’s still a painful memory, although time has softened the blow.  But I feel like I’m betraying the lives of my children to even say that.  It hurts a great deal. I’m still angry at times.  It has been a long process to even get this far – a long and intense process.

I’ve heard the sympathy and lack of sympathy from many.  I’ve been part of an incredible friendship that has encouraged, uplifted and challenged me as we walked the road of losing a child together.  But mostly, I’ve cried out to God.

I’ve yelled at God, telling Him everything that He has done stinks. I’ve hated Him.  I didn’t even want to speak to Him ever again, but after realizing that it was impossible to do that I repented and turned from that sin.

I remember not wanting to ever see people again, at the same time I wanted them to surround me.  I never wanted to attend church again, so that I wouldn’t have to answer any questions. But I did and I’m glad I did because I’ve had the arms of many believers around me.

But the internal struggles continued. It wasn’t supposed to happen to me, to us.  We were solid, growing, maturing believers.  We loved God enough to give our lives to whatever ministry He wanted us to be in. We did what was right.

Moving forward

As the due date approached for our little one, I struggled even harder.  Up until that point, I was so busy with everything that I didn’t spend a tremendous amount of time working on the grief process.  The hardest point for me when the baby would have been born was that I was without a job, something I would not have needed had the baby lived. I was going to be a mom and my status in life would have been secure in that.  Instead, here I was, a jobless woman.  So I mourned that loss.

I remember feeling so helpless and uncertain of why I even existed.  God seemed so unfair and so far away, so uncaring in my mind.  Everything seemed so pointless.  And as I mourned, crying out to God with my pain, He comforted me with Himself.

He showed me that it was okay to cry, to tell Him of all that hurt, and then He comforted me. He showed me through His word, through His Spirit, through the love of my husband, and the love of His people that He loved me. He didn’t do this to punish me.  My sins were canceled at the cross of Christ. Instead of having a child on September 28, the due date, I was hired for a job that I had been training for since the month after the miscarriage.  He loved me, a fact that I understand a great deal more now because of this pain.

Back to the beginning

Life progressed and God brought a new challenge into our lives in the form of foster parenting and possibly adoption. We started two and a half months of classes in February of that next year, only to find out a month later that we were pregnant again.

Oh, the joy that I experienced.  I was elated!  “God doesn’t hate me,” I thought. I am blessed! We kept it quiet for about a week as the hormone levels were confirmed to be rising and then told our families, and then gradually, our friends.  I felt complete.  I had given my in-laws and my mom a grandchild.  I wasn’t a failure in life any longer.  I had a purpose and it was to be a mom.

That was March.  In April, I experienced a loss in hormones and had a funny feeling that it was happening again.  Suddenly, my world spun.  I became cold to all of it, especially God. I was shocked that He would allow it to happen again.  For three weeks, we went to a weekly ultrasound as we watched and waited.

The night before our seventh week ultrasound, I had realized that I hadn’t prayed for this little one.  I knew why. I knew that God was in control and if He was going to allow this baby to live, then He would. And if not, then He wouldn’t.  My prayers wouldn’t change His will.  But I also knew that He wanted me to tell Him what was on my heart, so I decided to pray and tell God that I wanted this one to live.  I wanted to hold this baby in my arms and be their mom.

I wish there was another way

But the next day, we saw nothing on the ultrasound machine, having seen the heartbeat only the week before.  I cried, but at the same time, something in me had died.  I was angry at God, in a way that I couldn’t even explain.

We didn’t schedule a surgery that week, as the doctor wanted to give the baby another week to prove without a doubt that he or she hadn’t just turned out of view.  So we told our families, crying with them and waited, hoping.  But the baby was gone.  We had an amazingly clear picture of her or his development, but no heart was beating.

I miss this child too.  I hate that it’s a past tense.  I wish there was another way.  I don’t know if it will ever really go away although there are days that it’s not as intense as others.  Maybe it will continue to lessen if God ever will give us a child.  Maybe not. Maybe I will one day hold those kids in heaven.

He has the words of life

I know God is sovereign and good and just and merciful and full of compassion, because He said so.  He told me that in His Word. If it isn’t true here and now, in this crisis, then what use is my faith?

I’m reminded of the question Christ asked His disciples when many decided to forsake Him because of the pressures of the religious leaders of His day.  “Do you wish to leave me also?” He asked. And their response? “To whom shall we go?  You have the words of life.”

There is no other rock nor hiding Place. He alone is God. Therefore, if He cannot comfort me, then there is none who can help.  So I wait for the God of all comfort and in the meantime, I cry to Him of my pain.

Read a story of miscarriage, hope, and God’s provision in a woman’s personal story in “An Unreasonable Joy“.

“For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give – large or small – will be used to measure what is given back to you” Luke 6:38

R.G. Le Tourneau was one of God’s great businessmen. He wrote a book, entitled God Runs My Business. Though he had little formal training, he became one of America’s leading industrialists, developing and securing patents for many major improvements in earth-moving equipment. He gave away millions of dollars, and he founded a wonderful Christian college which bears his name. I had known and admired him for many years, but one of my most memorable experiences with him was at his plant in Longview, Texas. As we chatted, I was captivated by this exuberant, joyful layman who was overflowing with the love of God, still creative in his later years, and always proclaiming the truth that you cannot outgive God – the more you give away the more you receive. He had discovered a law of the universe.

The giving of the tithe (ten percent of our increase) is an Old Testament principle. The New Testament principle of giving is expressed in this passage: “The more you give, the more you will receive.” I personally do not believe that that involves indiscriminate giving, but rather that we should prayerfully evaluate all the various opportunities that are available to further the cause of Christ and His kingdom.

New Testament concept makes clear that everything belongs to God. We are custodians, stewards, of that which is entrusted to us for only a brief moment of time. Three-score and ten years (or possibly a little more), and then all that we possess will pass on to another. We are not to hoard, nor are we to pass on large estates to our heirs. That which is entrusted to God’s children is given to them to be used while they are still alive. We are to care for our own, and make provision for their needs, but all that is entrusted to us beyond that amount should be spent while we are still alive, while we can guarantee proper stewardship.

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-6

Today’s Action Point: Mindful of this spiritual principle, that everything belongs to God and He has entrusted me with the privilege and responsibility of being a good steward, I will seek every opportunity to invest all the time, talent and treasure available to me while I am still alive, for the enhancement of the kingdom of God.

About this Author: Bill Bright

You have probably noticed the advertisement for the new movie, Yes Man.  I have not watched the movie, but its plot involves answering “yes” to every request. For the main character, portrayed by comedian, Jim Carrey, saying “yes” begins an adventure.

As I contemplate our faith walk with Jesus and growth in our character, the same word comes to my mind – yes.   A distinctive characteristic of a Jesus follower manifests itself when the Lord requests “follow Me” and our answer is “yes, Lord.”  When the Lord prompts us to confess, speak, act, walk, trust, believe – whatever He asks, our answer needs to be, “yes, Lord.”

I don’t think we realize what is at stake if we say no, or not now.  We forfeit the blessings the Lord has for us.  The Israelites forfeited their blessings because of their rebellion.  They did not trust that our Heavenly Father knows best.  He knows what we need and what we need to know and learn.  He knows exactly what it takes to mold us and make us holy – set apart for Him.  He sees the bigger picture and wants us to experience His best.

In Hebrews, Paul explains to us:

“Today when you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts…Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God…For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” Hebrews 3:6,7,12,14

“Yes” expresses our trust and belief in God’s sovereignty.  “Yes” honors the Lord and accepts His Lordship.  “Yes” says, “not my will but Yours be done.”  There are consequences to saying “yes” to the Lord.  Sometimes, He asks us to do something we consider difficult or He asks us to do something we oppose; however, as we continually offer the Lord our “yes,” He will build our character. Obedience is worship in action.

Lord, when I hear your voice today, may my answer be yes.  Yes, Lord, may Your will be done in my life.  I want to say, “Yes, Lord, I will follow wherever You lead” and “I believe and trust You.”  Thank you, that as I say “yes,” and trust You, I will share in everything that belongs to Christ.”

Questions: Is there an area in your life where you are saying, “no” or “not now” to the Lord? What holds you back from saying “yes” to the Lord with no strings attached?

About this Author: Donna Mitchell

I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands ….” Daniel 9:4

God becomes real in your life when you submit to his sovereignty.

Sovereignty simply means God is in control, and that he has theright to be in control – the right to rule. No matter what you’ve thought or believed – in the past or even now — the truth be told, God has always been in control; he remains in control; and he will always be in control. God rules from his heavenly throne, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).

If we’re serious about living a life according to God’s purpose, it’s essential we understand this issue of sovereignty. It is only within the context of God’s sovereignty that we can trust the Almighty is actively at work in our lives, no matter how good or bad things may appear (Romans 8:28).

If we don’t believe in the sovereignty of God, then we’re more likely to become plagued by worry, doubt, and fear. And, when we look across the world, we’re more likely to feel overwhelmed by the immense needs – of those who hunger, those who hurt, and those who desperately need to hear the Good News of peace with God.

You may feel inadequate for the mission, but God created you just for this moment, and he believes in you. Is it possible he knows more about your abilities than you do?

What now?

- God becomes real when you submit to his sovereignty — Our God spoke the world into existence, and with the same power and creativity, he spoke you into your mother’s womb, timing your conception perfectly so that you’d be in service to him at this very moment in time. Would God send you on a mission without providing everything you will need to succeed?

- God is sovereign and that means he is able — He is able to take what you give and use it for his glory, and he is able to handle any problem or concern you have as you complete your purpose: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him …” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

- Talk to God about his greatness — You can stay focused on God’s sovereignty by talking to him about his greatness. We have a tendency to maximize our problems and minimize God’s greatness. But when we do that, we also minimize – in our minds – God’s ability to handle any problem. Instead, praise God for his greatness.

Question: What are some of the reasons that we sometimes fail to acknowledge God’s sovereignty?

About this Author: Jon Walker

“The waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me. . . This God—his way is perfect” (2 Samuel 22:5, 31).

After the loss of his ten children owing to a “natural disaster” (Job 1:19), Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). At the end of the book, the inspired writer confirms Job’s understanding of what happened. He says Job’s brothers and sisters “comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him” (Job 42:11). This has several crucial implications for us as we think about the calamity in terrorist attacks.

1. Satan is not ultimate, God is.

Satan had a hand in Job’s misery, but not the decisive hand. God gave Satan permission to afflict Job (Job 1:12; 2:10). But Job and the writer of this book treat God as the ultimate and decisive cause. When Satan afflicts Job with sores, Job says to his wife, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10), and the writer calls these satanic sores “the evil that the Lord had brought upon him” (Job 42:11). So Satan is real. Satan brings misery. But Satan is not ultimate or decisive. He is on a leash. He goes no farther than God decisively permits.

2. Even if Satan caused the earthquake in the Indian Ocean the day after Christmas, he is not the decisive cause of 100,000+ deaths, God is.

God claims power over tsunamis in Job 38:8 when he asks Job rhetorically, “Who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb . . . and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?” Psalm 89:8-9 says, “O Lord . . . you rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.” And Jesus himself has the same control today as he once did over the deadly threats of waves: “He . . . rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm” (Luke 8:24). In other words, even if Satan caused the earthquake, God could have stopped the waves.

3. Destructive calamities in this world mingle judgment and mercy.

Their purposes are not simple. Job was a godly man and his miseries were not God’s punishment (Job 1:1, 8). Their design was purifying not punishment (Job 42:6). But we do not know the spiritual condition of Job’s children. Job was certainly concerned about them (Job 1:5). God may have taken their life in judgment. If that is true, then the same calamity proved in the end to be mercy for Job and judgment on his children. This is true of all calamities. They mingle judgment and mercy. They are both punishment and purification. Suffering, and even death, can be both judgment and mercy at the same time.

The clearest illustration of this is the death of Jesus. It was both judgment and mercy. It was judgment on Jesus because he bore our sins (not his own), and it was mercy toward us who trust him to bear our punishment (Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24) and be our righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Another example is the curse that lies on this fallen earth. Those who do not believe in Christ experience it as judgment, but believers experience it as, merciful, though painful, preparation for glory. “The creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope” (Romans 8:20). This is God’s subjection. This is why there are terror attacks.

Who suffers from this fallen world of terror attacks? All of us, Christians included: “Not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23). For those who cast themselves on the mercy of Christ these afflictions are “preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). And when death comes, it is a door to paradise. But for those who do not treasure Christ, suffering and death are God’s judgment. “It is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17).

For children, who are too young to process mentally the revelation of God in nature or Scripture, death is not the final word of judgment. God’s commitment to display his justice publicly means that he does not finally condemn sinful people who could not physically construe natural or special revelation (Romans 1:20). There is a difference between suppressing revelation that one can mentally comprehend (Romans 1:18), and not having a brain sufficient to comprehend it at all. Therefore, when small children suffer and die, we may not assume they are being punished or judged. No matter how horrible the suffering or death, God can turn it for their greater good.

4. The heart that Christ gives to his people feels compassion for those who suffer, no matter what their faith.

When the Bible says, “Weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15), it does not add, “unless God caused the weeping.” Job’s comforters would have done better to weep with Job than talk so much. That does not change when we discover that Job’s suffering was ultimately from God. No, it is right to weep with those who suffer. Pain is pain, no matter who causes it. We are all sinners. Empathy flows not from the causes of pain, but the company of pain. And we are all in it together.

5. Finally, Christ calls us to show mercy to those who suffer, even if they do not deserve it.

That is the meaning of mercy—undeserved help. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27). Therefore, pray earnestly for Scott Purser and his team as they investigate the best way that the Global Diaconate can mercifully respond with the love of Christ to the calamity around the Indian Ocean.

In the merciful hands of Almighty God,

Pastor John

This article has been reprinted with permission. By John Piper. © Desiring God.