One day I was very tired and wanted to take a nap. I slowly moved my body to lie down, and there came the sharp back pain. I've gotten used to pains during rehabilitation, but undeniably, these ups and downs leave me exhausted, and sometimes I feel like I can't go on.
Everyone Extended Their Right Arm to Me
Although I knew that the Lord Jesus was with me and understood my pain, I still felt confused, wronged, and sad. I lay there silently weeping, and drifted off to sleep. It felt like I slept for a long time. The gloom I felt before falling asleep was gone, and I thanked the Lord for still being with me. Suddenly, I heard the soft sound of a door opening and closing downstairs. I guessed it was my son, and immediately used the hospital bed to slowly sit up. Just as I was focusing on how to get out of bed, I heard my eldest granddaughter's voice: "Hi, NaiNai."
I was overjoyed: "Oh, you've come!" She stood by the bed, giving me her sweetest smile: "I came with Baba to see you. NaiNai, what are you doing?"
I slowly moved my left leg towards the edge of the bed. "I just woke up and wanted to get up." Immediately she extending her right arm and said, "May I help you?"
I looked at the teenage girl and said, "Thank you, but NaiNai might be too heavy for you." "Okay. I'll go find Baba." She hurriedly ran out.
I closed my eyes and continued to focus on moving my lower body. Hearing footsteps, I opened my eyes and saw my husband James, our son, and granddaughter lined up around my bed and at its foot, each of them extending their right arm towards me. At that moment, I earnestly wished to take a picture.
God Often Saves Us with His Mighty Hand
James stood closet by my bed. As usual, he knew not to pull me up by force, so he patiently watched me slowly turn my lower body, and once I was in position, I grabbed his arm and pulled myself up.
I didn't take any photos, but I'll never forget this moment. I believe God is in control of every detail of my life. Behind all this love, there is an unseen hand. I remember the Bible mentioning many times how God uses His powerful hands and outstretched arms to save His people; He will also save and help you and me in the same way, because: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27a)
Arms We Can Always Rely On
I once knew a friend who was going through a very difficult time, weathering one storm after another, feeling hopeless and helpless. All I could do was be there for her, listening, comforting, and praying to my Heavenly Father to give her a way out. One day, she suddenly told me that she had accidentally heard a song called "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" the night before, and she liked it very much and felt peaceful. Thank God!
God is good, and He is the source of love. This love is gracious, faithful, loyal, and steadfast. God is full of love, mercy, and grace forever. The one true God is in control of everything; will we trust in Him? Will we live under His absolute sovereignty? Having repeatedly experienced God's presence, protection, and promises, how then we are to express our gratitude?
Psalm 136, from its beginning to the end, reminds us to praise and give thanks to God. Each verse reiterating the phrase "His love endures forever." Each verse also provides experiential examples demonstrating God's work. This psalm can serve as a model for our praise and thanksgiving, and we can all give thanks in all circumstances —— "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever....With a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.... Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1,12,26)
