It can happen in a flash

It can happen in a flash, in a moment, yea in the twinkling of an eye. One moment you can be feeling great and the next minute almost completely immobilized. That is what happened to Doug Saturday a week ago. He had a reaction to medicine he was taking after his recent biopsy. He still feels some pain from it.

Mother had been to worship that Sunday morning and was home seated at her table eating lunch. When she started to rise she couldn’t walk. Suddenly her life was changed forever. She crawled to the next room to get to the telephone and called me. A stroke was taking place in her body. Time was critical. One moment she was fine and the next her life changed forever.

Five girls in our area went for a joy ride together one night recently, topped a hill and lost control of their car. They went down an embankment and hit a tree. Three of the five were killed instantly. It happened in a flash without warning.

We have no guarantees in this life except the guarantees that God provided for us through His word. I love to think about the promises, the guarantees of God. 

God has given us “exceedingly great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4).

“Heaven and earth will pass away but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

“I go to prepare a place for you and will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am you may be also.”

“Trust and obey.”

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5).

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).