FBC Gallatin,
As many of you know, my wife Stacy’s father passed away a few weeks ago in the hospital after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer just two months ago. The experience of losing one of our parents is new territory for us in our marriage, and for those who have also experience that, you know that nothing prepares you for the emotional difficulty, sadness, and grieving that takes place after losing someone you love so deeply.
Prior to my father-in-law passing away, I had multiple opportunities to minister to the Word of God to him and the rest of the family and we were comforted by the Lord from the Psalms. Two such passages were Psalm 46 and Psalm 34; Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” And Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
I remember reading these passages with Mike and praying to God thanking Him for the truths of the great refuge He provides us in uncertain times… And even as I just now typed these verses out again today, I can almost hear my father-in-law Mike saying “amen!!!” because he believed that God was his refuge and strength in his time of suffering and medical uncertainty. It’s hard to believe that just weeks ago he audibly said “amen!” when I read Scripture over the phone leading up to our unplanned last-minute trip, and also giving his very hearty “amen!” in person as we read Scripture in the hospital room together with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren at his side… In all that, he took comfort about God being his refuge and strength!!!
And though my father-in-law was weak physically during the last part of his earthly life, and many of us may even feel weak right now, God is strong!!!! And our God is our refuge!!!! So, I want to encourage all of us right now that God is good, and that He is our refuge and strength!!! And with this unexpected trip to California, of course, our Matthew series “Kingdom Power” picking back up in chapters 8-18 will now be starting in October instead of September as originally planned reminding us all of Proverbs 16:9 “the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Please pray for me and the church as we dive back into the Gospel of Matthew to be edified by God’s Word together!
*I ended up deciding to preach a sermon after writing this dealing with the brevity of life titled "Vapor Lessons" looking at 7 biblical lessons in light of life and death...
Lesson #1 God cares for broken hearts…
Lesson #2 Grieving is better together…
Lesson #3 God is our Refuge...
Lesson #4 Remember, Life is Short...
Lesson #5 Know Your Destination...
Lesson #6 Live Today in Light of the Resurrection...
Lesson #7 Cling to the Gospel...
Sincerely,
Pastor Daniel Pelichowski
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