Doctors amputated Sam’s leg two weeks ago. One of my heroes of the faith, Sam has been the subject of my blog before. See http://susanjaneking.com/abundant-life/when-things-go-from-bad-to-worse/
My husband David and I went to visit Sam at the rehabilitation center this week. Sam is the one with the enormous smile in the middle of the photo. That smile remained on his face throughout our visit. The joy of the Lord continues to be Sam’s strength (Nehemiah 8:10). That’s because Jesus is Sam’s Rock.
“He has been with me the whole time,” Sam said, referring to his medical issues. “He has led me, helped me, and taken care of me. I am so thankful that He never leaves me.”
Sam shared story after story of how the Lord helped him decide to have the amputation, strengthened him during the rehabilitation, and made him aware of His presence all along the way.
1 Samuel 2:2, NASB, says, “There is no one holy like the Lord; indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.”
Sam would agree.
Rocks offer strength and support
We are told if we come to Jesus, listen to Him, and do what He says, we will be “like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built” (Luke 6:48, NASB).
The Lord is a rock of strength, a stronghold to save us (Psalm 33:12). He holds us up when He is the foundation of our lives.
Rocks provide protection
The Lord told Moses, “and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by” (Exodus 33:22, NASB).
The Lord keeps us safe. He is, “My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge” (2 Samuel 22:3, NASB).
Jesus is our Rock!
“’Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.’ And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 17:6, NASB).
God the Father was painting a picture of Jesus in that rock experience. The Israelites in the desert “all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4, NASB).
Jesus, our Rock, had his body broken on the cross, and living water became available to all who would drink it (John 7:38; Revelation 22:17).
Sam has found his strength, protection, and life in Jesus. That’s why he has such a big smile. He’s standing on the Rock.
Sam played his guitar for us before we left. He sang a song about the good life he was enjoying. He smiled the entire time.
“I just keep telling people about Jesus,” Sam said. “They need to know about Him.”
With Sam’s wonderful attitude, I’m sure they will!
Question: How has Jesus been your Rock? Comment at the link below.
Susan Jane King
