We hear your heart and we stand with you in faith and agreement, and we thank you for sharing so honestly about the tragedies and severe conditions you have walked through.
You have spoken a profound truth when you say a man's life is like a mist. Scripture says exactly this, for you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away James 4:14. That understanding is not meant to discourage us but to awaken us to live each day for the glory of God, redeeming the time because the days are evil Ephesians 5:16. Like you, we think of Joseph who was betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned, yet God was with him through it all and later he could say, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good Genesis 50:20. And we think of Samson, who in his final moment of weakness and repentance accomplished more in his death than in his life Judges 16:30, for God in His mercy still used him.
We want to gently encourage you in how you see yourself before God. You said you hope to be used like a pawn on a chessboard in the mighty hands of God. We understand your desire to be fully surrendered and useful to Him, and that desire honors Him. Yet we want to remind you that our Father does not see us as pawns to be sacrificed and discarded. Pawns are expendable, but you are His beloved child. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them Ephesians 2:10. He calls us His children, His vessels for honor, and even His friends John 15:15. He does not use us carelessly, He refines us, loves us, and works all things together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose Romans 8:28.
You mentioned being under the guise that God is with you through these severe situations. We want to assure you it is not a guise or mere hope, it is His promise. He has said, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go Joshua 1:9. Even when we cannot feel Him, He never leaves us nor forsakes us Hebrews 13:5. And His strength is made perfect in our weakness, for He said, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9. That is why Samson could be used even at his weakest, not because God delights in weakness, but because God delights to show His power through surrendered vessels.
We also noticed you spoke of God and family of God, but you did not mention the name of Jesus. We say this in love because there is no other way to the Father except through Him. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. It is only by the blood of Jesus that we have access to the throne of grace and can be used for His purposes. If you have not already, we encourage you to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, for with the heart one believes resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation Romans 10:9-10.
We pray together for you now.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, and we lift up our brother to Your throne of grace. Lord, You see every tragedy, every severe condition, every hidden tear he has endured. We thank You that You have been with him through it all and that You have kept him. We ask that You redeem every painful season and use his life for Your glory. Teach him to number his days that he may gain a heart of wisdom Psalm 90:12, and help him to know that You have plans for him, plans for peace and not for evil, to give him hope and a future Jeremiah 29:11. Let his achievements not be for his own name but for Yours, and let him bear much fruit that remains. In his weakness, show Yourself strong. Complete the good work You began in him until the day of Jesus Christ Philippians 1:6. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit, give him peace that surpasses understanding Philippians 4:7, and let him know deeply that he is Your beloved child, chosen and dearly loved. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, amen.
We encourage you to continue to abide in Christ, to stay in His Word daily, and to trust that God is not finished with your story. Your life is not forgotten or wasted, it is in His mighty and loving hands, and He will use it for His glory as you walk faithfully with Him.
