This is a sermon shared earlier this year by Dad-Merritt.
Highland,
We miss you this morning. Thank you so much for your love, support and understanding throughout this extremely difficult time. Also, please know that the messages and the meals you all have sent our way have really brought us so much comfort and have served to reassure us of our Lord’s unfailing love. Gosh, Highland, we are so grateful for you!!
Dad-Merritt (Carrie’s dad) continues to battle for his life; therefore we continue to battle in the spiritual place, through prayer and petition. Since we are unable to hold our Tent Gathering this morning, please allow me to share with you how I am praying through this uncertain time.
“Happy is one who cares for the poor; the LORD will save him in a day of adversity. The LORD will keep him and preserve him; he will be blessed in the land. You will not give him over to the desire of his enemies. The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed; You will heal him on the bed where he lies” (Psalm 41:1-3).
Dad-Merritt is a generational force for the things of God. Dad-Merritt spends his days speaking up for and defending the vulnerable and the voiceless. He champions the unborn and the mother who is expecting a child, yet afraid. He has celebrated the work of Highland since her inception! He remains in our corner as we continue to advance the Kingdom of God. Highland, I am asking the Lord to sustain Dad-Merritt, because His Word says he will preserve the one who cares for the poor - and that is Dad-Merritt - even on his sickbed.
“For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression? Send Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to Your dwelling place” (Psalm 43:2-3).
I am asking the Lord to be our family’s refuge as we endure this great time of uncertainty. Even though our feelings, as a family, are unsure, hurt, even misleading, I am praying that we ALL take refuge in the hand of our Lord. It is hard to know how to feel and what to think, apart from God’s Word, as we go through this with Dad-Merritt. It is very disorienting emotionally! So, I am asking the Lord to lead our family through this battle with His light and His truth; that His light and His truth would surround us and hold us! The result is that, though we cannot know what’s next, that our family would draw nearer to His holy mountain, His dwelling place. That is our greatest good.
Highland, thank you for praying with us! I have never met a man more willing to submit to the authority of God’s Word. The fruit that pours forth from his life is Gospel-flavored fruit, fruit that remains.
I love you,
Rob