God Holds Our Loved Ones Fast
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a lesson in trust.
In my lifetime of public ministry, I have flown – what – maybe 900,000 miles to 57 countries over the span of 45 years. And I don’t think I’ve ever been nervous about a flight. Especially a long flight over the ocean. But now that I am in my 70s, I’m not flying to as many countries as I used to, but my husband Ken still is. He still loves to serve with Joni and Friends at either Family Retreats overseas or on a Wheels for the World team. He’s great at fixing my wheelchair, so he’s really great at adjusting and fixing the wheelchairs we give to kids with disabilities in poor, needy countries. And listen, I am thrilled about that; I’m happy that Ken still loves to pack up, get on an airplane and fly many hours to a developing nation.
But I’ve noticed something. Now that I’m older, I’m a little more sensitive to well, how risky a long flight to a Third World nation can be. Like recently when Ken signed up to serve on a Wheels team to go to Thailand. He boarded his flight in the dark, early hours of a Sunday morning to begin that long, long, long airplane trip over that wide, wide, wide Pacific Ocean. That same morning as I was sitting in our Sunday worship service, I glanced at my watch. It’s a 19-hour flight from LAX to Bangkok, and even though he flew out at 1:00AM that Sunday morning, there I was sitting in church at 11:30 in the morning, praying for him.
Because he was still over the Pacific Ocean; and it’s huge. I realized then, he’d already been flying for 10 ½ hours; he was still over that big, scary, deep ocean, and it made me nervous. Our congregation was reciting together Psalm 139 and, what do you know, lo and behold, in the middle of that Psalm, verses 9 and 10 say, “… if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” Bingo. When my eyes scanned those words about the far side of the sea, it was as though God were saying, “Joni, I’ve got this. Ken is safe. The pilot may think he has control of the plane, but I’m the One who’s in control. Do not worry; do not be afraid. I will settle your husband down safely on the far side of the sea.” What an encouraging assurance God gave me that morning.
Don’t you think it’s wonderful when that happens? How the Holy Spirit brings the Word of God to mind; or has us read a verse just, just, just when we need to be reassured? Or comforted? Or guided or led? And I heard the voice of God that morning in church. God’s right hand was holding my husband fast. Tomorrow, Ken is gonna be featured on our Joni and Friends’ podcast, so be sure to tune in – I just know he’ll have something fresh and exciting to share about what he’s been up to. And I’ll be joining him, as well. So, make a note to listen in tomorrow. Just go to joniradio.org, where I have a link to our podcast page, and be blessed!
Oh, and one more thing. If you are filled with worry for a loved one; if you’re anxious about the safety or protection of a precious member of your family, turn to the Word of God today for assurance, and for comfort, and for guidance and help. Surely, the right hand of the Lord was holding my husband fast that morning that he flew 19 hours across that big, wide, deep ocean. And today, that same hand holds fast to you and those for whom you pray. Look to the Word of God and you will always, always be comforted.
Contact us at joniradio.org. That’s a different link to my radio page than you usually hear me say, but it is a lot easier. Joniradio.org. God bless you today and thanks for listening to Joni and Friends!
© Joni and Friends
For Better or Worse
Disability presents unique challenges and pressures in even the best of marriages. Ken Tada, married to Joni Eareckson Tada for more than 37 years, shares how disability is an invitation for you and your spouse to depend on Jesus in your weakness and grow closer to each other than you ever thought possible.
