The Patient

This past week I was hospitalized. One of the first things that happens is you have the talk with God. You ask God to take care of your family. You ask Him to forgive your sins. Then peace begins to fill you. As you and God are talking a voice booms into your ear- “What is your name and what is your date of birth?” As you look over at the nurse she says “I am here to take your vitals.” From the moment you walk in, you are given a wristband with your name and date of birth. Before any check of your vital signs, before any drawing of your blood, before any administering of various IV’s or medications, before any blood transfusion, before pain medications, your name and date of birth is scanned to make sure that the patient that the nurses, techs, doctors, and any other person who is going to take care of the patient is working on the right person.

 
Imagine what happens in heaven? Sister Lee has just sent a prayer for Brother Jones. The request goes to our High Priest, He sends a quick dispatch to Angel Gabriel to send in additional angels to help Brother Jones with his ordeal in life. Intervention occurs. Brother Jones sends a prayer of thanksgiving to our High Priest who sends a quick snapshot to all the angels for the great work they have done.

 
What is captivating is the fact that God knows each person’s name and date of birth. Not only on planet earth, but also for every planet of His creation, every angel, every being that has ever existed. In fact the Bible says “Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4-5

 
So what is your name and date of birth? Does it matter to God? It matters to Him more than any doctor, any tech, any nurse, any mother, father, husband, wife or friend. You see in God’s eyes we are more than just a patient, more than a son or daughter, husband or wife or friend- we are His special creation. Just imagine each year God writes a special birthday card and hand delivers it to your guardian angel. Imagine the letter reads something like this:

 
“My child, my love. Even though for the moment we have been separated by time and circumstances, I look forward to the day when I can personally celebrate your birthday with you face to face. Until then, know that I love you.”
Love,
Your Heavenly Father

 
Here are some words of encouragement. “I have seen the tender love that God has for His people, and it is very great. I saw angels over the saints with their wings spread about them. Each saint had an attending angel. If the saints wept through discouragement, or were in danger, the angels that ever attended them would fly quickly upward to carry the tidings, and the angels in the city would cease to sing. Then Jesus would commission another angel to descend to encourage, watch over, and try to keep them from going out of the narrow path; but if they did not take heed to the watchful care of these angels, and would not be comforted by them, but continued to go astray, the angels would look sad and weep. They would bear the tidings upward, and all the angels in the city would weep, and then with a loud voice say, ‘Amen.’ But if the saints fixed their eyes upon the prize before them and glorified God by praising Him, then the angels would bear the glad tidings to the city, and the angels in the city would touch their golden harps and sing with a loud voice, ‘Alleluia!’ and the heavenly arches would ring with their lovely songs.” {EW 39.1}

 
May God bless you this Sabbath as we remember Hi tender love for each and every one of us.
 
Angel

Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min

 
Houston Central – Senior Pastor