Word Filled Wednesday for March 10 - Praise You In This Storm

1 Corinthians 15:52-57
In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O grave, is your sting?"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."


Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.


2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

What do all these verses have in common? To me the prevailing theme seems to be mourning, sorrow, death, comfort, and in most of them, victory through Jesus, our Savior.

Precious little Layla Grace went into the arms of Jesus early yesterday morning. So many, so many of us prayed for a miracle. Prayed that her frail little body would be healed from the awful cancer that had invaded it. Prayed that God would look down and answer our prayers the way we wanted Him to.

He did not. Instead He answered our prayers the way that He knew to be best. Sweet Layla Grace is now running, playing, laughing, living with abandon. Free to be without pain, without sorrow, without sickness and without fear. We rejoice that yesterday was her NEW birthday. We mourn because those who are earth bound and left behind are grieving over the tragic death of this earthly angel. Through it all, we know that her family will see her again. They will all have perfect bodies and will never be separated again for all eternity. Though we draw comfort in that, it still leaves an empty hole in our hearts, our soul. We can't comprehend why she had to go. But God knew. God had a very specific job for her short little time here on this earth and she fulfilled it magnificently. How could she do it any other way?

Her parents are having a very tough time today. Making arrangements. Dealing with their now youngest who doesn't understand that her sister isn't here anymore. This morning, 3 year old Claire told the dog to stop barking because it would wake Layla. How do you tell a small child that she will not see her younger sister on this side of heaven anymore? How do you make them understand? How do you help a struggling 9 year old who DOES understand to cope with the death of that sibling? How do you help her through the pain and anger and grief? How do you comfort the parents in this time of loss, especially of a child so young, so precious, so loving and so loved?

Frankly, I don't know. But I do know that God knows how to. The promises that God has made to those who have been left behind by the passing of a loved one are not in vain. Those who are in Christ and have died, have lost young children, babies, infants, unborn children, WILL see them again and in that moment of reunion, then, then they will know that they will never have to be parted again. Praise the Lord for that promise in the midst of our storms!

Please pray for Ryan and Shanna, Layla Grace's parents, and for Jenna and Claire, Layla Grace's 9 year old and 3 year old sister, as well as for the rest of the family and friends who have surrendered this earthly angel into God's eternity. They sure could use it today.

"Praise You In This Storm"
~Casting Crowns~

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

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To see other wonderful Word Filled Wednesdays for this week please hop on over to Lori @ All You Have To Give or drop by “The 160 Acre Woods” to find out more about how to participate in Word Filled Wednesday's.