Everywhere

TITLE:  Everywhere
DATE: June 2, 2019
TEXT: Ps 139: 1- 6 - ESV - O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;  you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down  and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,  behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,  and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;  it is high; I cannot attain it.
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On the 12th of April two names, Landen Hoffman and Emmanuel Aranda, were flashed around the world by every major news service.

Their story was bizarre in the extreme.

It appears that 24-year-old Emmanuel had gone to the Mall of America and, at random, had singled out 5-year-old Landen to be the victim of his terrible plot to murder someone. The selection was not a compliment.

In plain view of many of the Mall of America shoppers, Emmanuel threw Landen over the third-story balcony. Emmanuel hoped to kill. Only by God’s grace was his plan thwarted.
Landen  fell 40-feet.

On impact he broke his legs and his arms. That would have been bad enough, but it got worse. Physicians called to help with the case could not imagine how the young boy could have fallen and landed as he did without serious brain injuries.  
The world responded with financial support and prayer support. 28,000 people contributed over $1,000,000. I cannot tell you how many prayers were offered. The family appreciated both.

Now, after many weeks, the family has given an update.

A family spokesman has said that Hoffman is awake, responsive and no longer listed as being in critical condition. Just as importantly they shared that, the most recent brain scan says that Landen has no cranial damage.

As the family begins to refocus on to upcoming surgeries, healing, rehabilitation and eventually a return home, they added something beautiful. They said, “All praise, glory and honor to God! He saved our son’s life and is healing him in the most miraculous ways.” Finally they added, “God and your prayers have sustained us.”

Truly every one of us gives thanks that this healing has continued so beautifully.

But I have a question… what would we say if things weren’t going swimmingly? Suppose there was a permanent injury to his body or his brain. Suppose he was never going to recover at all. Would we say that God is not there, or He is uninvolved?

My friends, one thing is sure, the Lord is with His people in every situation.

No matter how bad; how impossible; how discouraging; how frightening;  how contrary to what we would like to see happen, the Lord is by our side. And not only is He present… He is also positively active.

Scripture is clear there is nothing that the world can dish out that the Lord cannot turn to a good purpose. It may not be our purpose, but it is a purpose that most certainly is for our good and the blessing of those around us. That is the promise of our risen Redeemer.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me with faith pray, “Your will be done.” Especially when we may not feel ready to have Your will happen, may we acknowledge Your love and graciousness.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this site https://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/all-praise-glory-and-honor-to-god-mri-shows-no-brain-damage-for-boy-thrown-from-mall-of-america-balcony.html and the article written by Kayla Koslosky.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html