The ER and the Throne: God’s Sovereignty in the Midst of Medical Drama

Recently, my wife had a health crisis requiring a trip to the ER. This was the third time in our 35-year marriage that she was ill enough for even medical staff to be concerned.

My wife is loved by very many people. She is a leader and a servant. She is someone who would crawl over glass for you. God’s love flows through her. While I am certainly biased, it is also clear from the number of people praying for her and asking about her that my bias is justified.

As I tend to do, I reflected on this situation and all the different responses I observed to this medical drama we experienced. The question I settled on is, “Are we ever in any more danger from one moment to the next?”

From our perspective, we definitely are. There are moments in which human life feels more fragile or at risk than others. But how do we reconcile that with a sovereign God who sustains the very beat of our hearts and holds each breath in His hands?

I think it would be helpful first to look at the differences between David and Paul. They were both people who knew real danger often.

David

The Scriptures give us 10 clear examples of David in mortal danger, though that’s almost certainly the tip of the iceberg. One battle alone could have put him in harm’s way 10 times over. Here is a summary of the ones we are given:

As a shepherd boy, defending his flock from a lion and a bear, and facing Goliath in single combat (1 Samuel 17:34-36, 32-50)
As a fugitive from Saul, repeatedly escaping spears, assassins, and pursuing armies from the palace to the wilderness (1 Samuel 18:10-11; 19:9-17; 21:10-15; 22:1; 23:14-15, 24-28; 30:1-6)
As king, facing the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob in battle and fleeing Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:13-17; 21:15-17)
From David’s perspective, when his life ended, that was it (Psalm 39:4-6). While he had reason to fear death, he also understood that God was in control, as we see in Psalm 23:1-6.

Paul

Like David, we do not know exactly how many times Paul was in mortal danger. In Scripture we see at least 20. Here is a quick summary:

Stoned and left for dead at Lystra, escaping plots and beatings across his missionary journeys (Acts 14:5-6, 19-20; 9:23-25, 29-30)
Imprisoned and flogged at Philippi, riots and ambushes from Thessalonica to Jerusalem (Acts 16:19-24; 17:5-10; 19:23-31; 20:3; 21:30-36; 23:12-22)
Shipwrecked, snake-bitten, and ultimately summarizing it all in his own catalog of perils (2 Corinthians 11:23-27; Acts 27:13-44; 28:3-6)
Paul’s view on death was completely different (1 Corinthians 15:55). When he contemplated life here and life with Christ (Philippians 1:19-26) he makes it plain that life with Christ is the prize. Even though he had multiple brushes with death, he did not fear it. He knew God was completely in charge (Romans 11:36 & Ephesians 1:11).

Both men lived through very trying times while understanding that God was in charge, and that is where peace is found. God can show His power in healing us, and He can show His mercy is allowing us to be finished. In those moments, the tension between this world and the next becomes clear. While scripture commands us to pray for healing, we also recognize that being with Christ is ultimately the far better reality.

When I was praying for my wife as the doctors struggled initially to get her heart to slow down, I wrestled with my own deep desire to keep her here, knowing that eternity with God is the ultimate peace. However, it seemed obvious to me she has more to do here that will bring glory to God, so I had faith she was not done here yet.

Peace in God’s Sovereignty

We should find peace that the same God who counts the sparrows and numbers the hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:29-31) is the God who knit us together in the womb and wrote every one of our days in His book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:13-16). He works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11), and the works He has prepared for us to walk in were laid out before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 2:10). Our times are in His hand (Psalm 31:15) — ultimately subject to His authority, not dictated by the hospital, the doctor, or the disease. Whether the next moment feels safe or fragile, we are no more, and no less, in His hands than we were the moment before.

Keep Praying

None of this makes prayer less urgent — it makes it more so. Scripture reminds us that we often do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2), showing that God invites us into a genuine partnership where our prayers truly matter. At the same time, even asking with complete faith does not mean God is guaranteed to say yes. He sees the entire picture where our vision is limited, and sometimes He makes decisions we may not understand. Ultimately, we are commanded to bring everything to Him with thanksgiving, promising a peace that guards our hearts on the other side of that asking (Philippians 4:6-7). Prayer is how we actively bring our requests to a loving Father, trusting His wisdom when He grants them, and trusting His perspective when He does not.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.

Scripture used or considered in the writing of: “The ER and the Throne: God’s Sovereignty in the Midst of Medical Drama” by RD Montgomery. All Scripture is in ESV format unless otherwise specified.