God's Presence can become "very real and quite continual"

My father was a devoted Christian and family man. Unfortunately he suffered from heart disease and had a devastating series of heart attacks that nearly killed him in 1968. He was barely 50 years old and his children ranged in age from 14-17. Some months after the crisis passed, in a note to a relative who was dying, my Dad wrote:

“My turn was last Spring, [to be near death].... I was convinced and resigned to the fact that it was my turn to pass into an eternal future with my Maker, but it seems that He must have other plans. (Certainly, after my heart stopped 3 times in quick succession it was anything but too likely that I would be back home as I am now.)

But for one thing I am grateful; I had lots of hours and days to actually come closer to my God, through His Son, of course. And I found that as long as I would do that I was never alone. His Almighty Presence became very real and quite continual in the Intensive Care Unit of that hospital. And, marvellously indeed, if one places oneself completely in His hands, and becomes entirely willing to be an instrument for His will (happy to accept whatever that may be), then the concern is no longer there: it is a great comfort indeed to realize that there is such a pilot at the helm.

I want to help you not to overlook this, for this wonderful faith is the greatest asset we can have and enjoy when we are ill.”

My father was given another year to put his affairs in order before passing away in 1970. He was 52.

OUR GREATEST ASSET

I discovered a copy of the note, from which I just quoted, in his Bible some years later. His words were true. Faith in Christ has been my greatest asset during 25 years of chronic illness. I anticipate with joy my eternal future with my Maker (and reunion with my Dad who’s been there nearly 40 years now).

Whenever I come across somebody who suffers life threatening illness, or experiences the death of a loved-one, my first thought is” “I hope they have a personal relationship with Jesus, Christ.” They too can experience “His Almighty Presence” that becomes “very real and quite continual” that both my father knew and I have experienced. And it has been the experience of people throughout the ages, as they experienced terrible illnesses, loss and sorrow.

Many years ago when I could still walk, my wife and I were in Prince Edward Island, Canada’s birthplace. One day we saw an old neglected graveyard tucked out of the way from the community where it’s located. Some of the graves dated back to the 1700s. As we walked among the weathered and faded tombstones, we came across one that stood out from the others. The inscription mentioned two children who perished in a house fire in the 1840s. I stood in front of that tombstone trying to imagine the unimaginable sorrow of the grieving parents who erected that marker. I have a vivid imagination but my mind recoiled and refused to imagine something so terrible.

The most I could hope was that those parents were Christians. Christ could have been their Comforter and consolation. They have been gone for more than a hundred years. If they knew and trusted Christ, their sorrow would be over. They would be united with Him and their children.

The Bible tells us, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold I make all things new.” (Revelation 21.4-5a)

I don’t know what your sorrow or pain may be, but give it to God. His presence in your life can become very real and quite continual.

MP