The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 2:21a, “So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept…”
Exodus 5:3, “Then they said, ‘The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.’”
Leviticus 9:24, “Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.”
Numbers 11:9, “And when the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.”
Deuteronomy 9:18, “And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin which you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke Him to anger.”

The verses above demonstrate only some of the usages and tenses of the word fall in the first five books of the Bible. Overall, there are almost 600 notations of that word throughout the Scriptures. If you want a big surprise, look up the word fall in a dictionary and note how many varied meanings and usages the word truly has. I would not have believed it myself.

My interest in that word and its various usages became quite personal this week when I experienced a physical fall! Yes, I was returning some tools to their place in the garage, when I slipped or tripped or just plain lost my balance on one of three steps and fell, requiring a visit to the Emergency Room of a local hospital, two cat-scans, and an overnight stay. I have two undeniable black, swollen eyes, a nose-cut that required four or five stitches, and a thankfully receding bulge in the center of my forehead. (Anyone ready for Round 2? I was ready to throw in the towel!)

Of course, believing that nothing happens by accident, I prayed, asking the LORD, “Why did all of this have to occur? Have I done or said something that necessitated a punishment like this?” I honestly searched my soul. His reply came when I counted the nurses, therapists, doctors, patient transporters and aids of various orderlies with whom I had the opportunity to share Christ. No, they did not prostrate themselves before the LORD and pray to receive Him. But, they LISTENED! They didn’t argue or seek to put down my witness. There wasn’t even a cynical grin.

These medical people, like multitudes of others, view mangled lives and deaths every day. I spoke nothing of politics, only of Jesus! And they LISTENED! I offer this as no boast for anything I said or did. Rather, “This is the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes” (Psa. 118:23). Don’t be afraid! They are knowledgeable in their fields to our advantage. We must be knowledgeable in our faith for them! Some people know Him, but need encouragement to share Him! Others are simply religious, but have no personal knowledge of our forgiving, saving Redeemer! Time becomes shorter as the days gp by. Release your faith boldly to the word-at-large! The LORD’s reward will come in eternity!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom