In His Hands

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16, NIV)

Winter weather had trapped eighteen-month-old Emily inside for days. When the next morning dawned cold and clear, her mother bundled the toddler into a stroller and set out for a walk along their country lane. As they topped a hill, sun glinting off a patch of snow blinded a driver coming from the other direction, and he struck the stroller. The impact sent Emily flying thirty feet where she landed on her head.

When she arrived at our hospital, Emily’s pupils were fixed and dilated. Doctors rushed her to surgery to relieve pressure in her skull, but they could do little more. One neurosurgeon later described the right half of her brain as “oatmeal.” His prognosis? “She’ll never walk or talk again.” In ICU, where I cared for her, Emily rebounded from one crisis only to face another as her mother’s hope waned. Eventually, Emily became stable enough to transfer to the pediatric floor, and I never expected to hear anything more about my beautiful little patient.

Two weeks later, another nurse gave me surprising news: Emily was being discharged. Not only that, but she had reached for her mother, calling her “mama,” and asked for “wata.” The next day, she walked into her mother’s arms.

The Bible relates many accounts of Jesus’ healing miracles—from restoring a man’s withered hand (Luke 6:6-10) to raising a little girl from the dead (Mark 5:22-24, 35-42). Why then are we incredulous when God heals people today? Many times, He works through medical professionals, but doctors do not have control over life and death and can’t predict the outcome of every situation. They can be just as surprised—and thrilled—as we are when God chooses to work contrary to expectations.

God does not guarantee a miracle in every health crisis, but Emily taught me that no one is beyond hope. We seek good medical care, but we place our faith and trust in God, wisely remembering that our times are in His hands (Psalm 31:15). The results rest with Him alone.

Prayer: Father, only You hold my life in Your hands. Whether you choose to work a healing miracle or not, I know You love me and have my best interests in mind. Whatever happens, I praise Your holy name. Amen.

Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. (Isaiah 38:16, NIV)

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Order your copy of Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness by Tracy Crump