Jehovah Rapha...All to the glory of GOD

Jake sat quietly in the ICU family waiting room. He was surrounded by people he loved and they were all crying. His brother sat in a chair staring at the floor. His older sister wept. His little sister didn't stop moving. I don't think she understands what is happening here.

His grandmother sat quietly holding hands with her parents, Jakes great grandmother and great grandfather. Grandmother's lips were moving but she wasn't making any sound. He watched as a tear silently rolled down her cheek.  

Jake's grandfather was in the ICU and the doctors said he could die.

Jake wasn't ready to say good-bye. He wanted to pray but he wasn't sure what he should say.

"God knows what is best and we have to trust him," said his grandmother.

"All to the glory of God," said Jakes great grandfather.

All to the glory of God? How can any of this be to God's glory?

The doctor walked in and said, "He is stable for the moment. We are arranging to move him to a hospital that is better equipped to help him. You must understand he is very sick and might not survive the transport, but we have done all we can for him here."

The family prayed for a miracle.

Jake looked around the small room. Wall to wall family. Great grandparents who still loved each other. Aunts and uncles who stopped what they were doing and hurried to the hospital to be near their dad. Cousins ranging in age from teenagers down to toddling babies. And everyone was here because of granddad.

The chaplain came by, "The EMT's are here and everything is ready to transport Mr. Lewis."

Jake stared out the window as grandma drove to the hospital. It was late and the night sky was made darker by the fog and light rain that fell.

God, please don't let my granddad die. Please give us more time with him.

The next few days were a blur to Jake. Granddad was always on his mind. It was hard to concentrate at school. He went to the hospital after school each day. Each night he laid awake staring at the ceiling.

Sometimes he prayed.

Sometimes he cried.

His stomach hurt and his head ached.

He was afraid all the time. 

One morning Jake went into the kitchen for breakfast and found his great grandparents sitting at the table.

"Is everything ok? Where's grandma?"

"She's at the hospital. The doctors are running a few tests." said Great Granddad.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Great Granddad put down his coffee cup. "You know you can."

"The other day, at the hospital, you said 'All to the glory of God.' I just don't get it. How can this be for God's glory? If granddad never comes home , if he dies, that can't bring God glory."

"God's ways are not our ways. Often times it's hard to understand God. But you know Jake, God never said we are to understand Him. He said to trust Him. When you trust Him to take care of you no matter what, He will get the glory. God knows best."

"Right now I'm just confused. The family has prayed that God would make granddad better. He's not better. It doesn't look to me like God is listening."

"I know it's hard Jake. The Bible tells us that God is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord Who Heals. God heals all kinds of illness and hurt in different ways. Psalm 147:3 says He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. You just keep praying. You'll see. God is listening and He will get the glory."

"What do you mean 'in different ways'?"

"Sometimes very sick people get well and come home. Sometimes they die and their healing takes place in heaven. In heaven, there is no sickness or pain."

"Don't say that. I don't want to think about granddad dying."

"Jake, trust God no matter what. Whether granddad lives or dies, trust God to take care of him and you."

That afternoon Jake went to the hospital to check on granddad.  

"Hey, Jake! Have you had a good day?"

"Yeah, it's been ok. How's granddad? Any news?"

"Actually yes Jake! The doctors were able to take him  off the machine that was helping him breathe. He can whisper now. He told me he knew everyone was praying for him. He said he knew that God worked a miracle!"

Jake wanted to cry again; this time happy tears.

"Did God make granddad better?"

"Yes He did. It's important to thank God and give Him all the glory."

"All to the glory of God?"

"Exactly. All to the glory of God."

After two long weeks Jakes granddad came home from the hospital. It was great to have him home, telling corny jokes and winking at grandma.

Jake hugged granddad tightly, "I was so scared. I didn't want you to die."

"Jake, God took care of me.  I knew I might not live, but God gave me peace. I wasn't afraid. I knew God would heal me either by making be well enough to come home or by welcoming me into heaven."

"Don't say that. I don't want to hear that."

"Death is a part of life. You need to know that I'm not afraid to die because Jesus is my Savior. I asked Him into my heart many years ago. There's no need to fear death."

"I think I'm beginning to understand. God gets the glory whether you live or die because of Jesus."

"That's exactly right. Jehovah Rapha, the Lord Who Heals, gets the glory!"