Since my birth in 1931, God has sustained me and rescued me from many troubles. Yes, even from my major bout with doubt—unbelief.  In God’s grace and mercy he encouraged me to study and to decide that the evidence for belief in and trust of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit was far too strong to deny.

God did not promise the Christian life would be an easy life.  However, the Lord Jesus promised to be with Christians, and God keeps his promises to other people and to me.  I’m convinced I know enough of his purposes—I don’t know everything—but I know enough about his purposes to believe that his intentional will for every human is good.  I don’t think he ever asks anyone to do anything that was not beneficial to that individual.

If God did not leave me around to encourage people, I see no reason for him to leave me.  I watch other people eat, and it’s pleasurable for me; but my diet is liquid, but if you have to choose between liquid and not getting nourishment, it’s easy.  It’s easy.

To make people aware that obeying God, whatever may occur, believing in him, trusting in him, depending upon him and then to grow in obedience.  If God had seen me through all of this already, he could continue to keep me.  That and when times were very difficult and painful, to remind myself, thinking to the Lord, “Jesus, thank you for being with me.  Thank you for being with me through 35 radiation treatments, through other kinds of treatments and tests that were unpleasant.”  Christ in you, the hope of glory.

I didn’t know, and I don’t know when I’ll be leaving this world.  If the Rapture doesn’t come right away, probably soon.  Paul says, “Where, O grave is your victory?  Where, O death is your sting?”  I can be content with that.