In light of the house purchase, Nelson writes that he hopes none of his possessions will ever to go to his head or change him.
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October 5, 2022
Lord, you have done lots of miracles in our lives in the past year. The house, our son being born against all odds, and my cancer being healed against similar odds. They were able to match the chemo drug so my healing can be possible and not just putting off the inevitable.
Thank you for being so involved, Lord. Thank you for Annso and for her faith in you, for her willingness to follow me as I follow you. Thank you that you have given me the ability to pick the right paths as I follow you, that things actually do turn out in the end, because there sure could be other outcomes.
“Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die; their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper.” (Psalm 49:16-18)
Well said.
People do praise you when you prosper. And man, how we live for that praise. But we have it plain and simple right there: “Do not be overawed when others grow rich…. for they will take nothing with them when they die.”
It’s a helpful and freeing command from God written right in the Bible for us to grab. And we are just buying a house. What a blessing. But I never want any of this stuff to go to our heads.
God gave us the money through his people, and he brought us to the house, and we are trying to live wisely, renting out most of the place and living in one of the smaller units. “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22)
That’s a picture of the blessing of God when it turns to material blessing in the life of his people. He brings wealth and adds no trouble to it. Who wants money or houses if it brings a bunch of fighting and trouble?
Thank you Lord for the blessing you have given us in the form of a little boy, a house, and all these people who faithfully pray for my total healing.
I sure can get distracted by the house and the family. Then when I’m in the hospital hanging on for dear life, I’m reminded how futile it is.
But I’m also trying to set Annso up so she could have a good life here without being destitute. And property and a good church is the way I see to do that.
I’d like to last as long as possible, which I believe will be quite a while longer, but until then, it seems good to set her up. I pray for Annso and Will, for their trip to Germany, for their health and that we can raise Will up to honor you, Lord.
I pray that you would protect his mind and his body from the modern teachings and garbage that will try to latch onto him. I pray that you would give him special wisdom to see things in your word and to get joy from obeying you.
I pray you would spare him years of rebellion where he has to try out all the sins and see what damage they cause like I did. I pray you would help him be smarter than that and to learn from the mistakes of others instead of having to punish himself.
I pray for Annso that you would give her more stamina and the ability to do what she’s doing, especially while I’m too weak and tired to help her properly like a good husband should. Help me to be able to help, to encourage, to do the things I can, to take the load off her.
“Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him. The ransom for a life is costly. No payment is ever enough.” (Psalm 49:5-8)
What a great rhetorical question. You could almost write a poem like that. “Why should I fear?” That’s the title. And then you put every possible scenario you see in the Bible telling us not to be afraid, after that.
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“Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18)