God, even when he does not comply with our wishes, is still attentive and kindly to our prayers, so that hope relying upon his word will never disappoint us. But believers need to be sustained by this patience, since they would not long stand unless they relied upon it. For the Lord proves his people by no light trials…but often drives them to extremity, and allows them, so driven, to lie a long time in the mire before he gives them any taste of his sweetness… What could they do here but be discouraged and rush into despair if they were not, when afflicted, desolate, and already half-dead, revived by the thought that God has regard for them and will bring an end to their present misfortunes? Nevertheless, however they stand upon the assurance of that hope, they do not meanwhile cease to pray, for unless there be in prayer a constancy to persevere, we pray in vain. (Institutes, 3.20.52) John Calvin
Today I met a man in Israel I will never forget. Fifteen years ago he was voting in a primary for candidates of the Likud party. At the polling station, two Palestinian terrorists burst in upon the crowd who were choosing their candidate for the next election. They sprayed the crowd with automatic gunfire. Seven people fell to the floor, wounded by the barrage. The terrorists moved among the fallen, stopping to shoot each one between the eyes to make sure that they were dead. Six people died that day. Today I met the seventh. He was wounded four times in the initial burst of gunfire - once in each leg, once in the arm and once in the side. The terrorists then put a gun two feet from his face and put a bullet between his eyebrows. I saw the deep scar with my own eyes. The next year he spent in a coma. Today I met him at the little restaurant he owns outside the gates of the ancient ruins of Beth She'an. He stood in f...
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