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- Written by: Don Goulding
The Lord is your protector; the Lord is the shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, or the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life. The Lord will protect you in all you do, now and forevermore. Psalms 121:5-8 (NETFull)
“What you doin’ here, white man.” A thug barked at me as I picked my way through the Oshodi Marketplace in Nigeria. “You don’t belong.”
John, a Nigerian believer, pushed his small body between us and yelled back. We were caught in a sea of swarming Africans in the most densely populated location on the continent. There were shouts of owiibo (white-man), most were friendly, a few were not. A knot of hoodlums led by the mouthy thug bullied me to buy goods at exorbitant prices so they could snatch part of the proceeds. It was time to get out of Oshodi.
Unseen to all, floating above my head was the promise that God protects those who entrust their hearts to him. Three months earlier, I had embraced that promise. I would simplify my life, go to the mission field, and trust him to provide everything necessary.
In Oshodi, and in other tight spots, God kept his promise to the letter. I recall the bus that showed up at the right time to snatch us from a criminal infested jungle in Côte d’Ivoire. I know how God sent an angelic helper to guide me out of the bush in Zimbabwe. I realize he made my ministry partner and me invisible as we walked past Chinese police during a raid of the secret church.
It has to be said that God’s promise of protection is for the spirit of those who love him—not necessarily their body. Nevertheless, in every case so far, he protected my earthly life as well.
While my friend of small stature, and large courage, argued with the Oshodi ruffians, I prayed. John negotiated our way into a more reasonable price, or ransom if you please, and I quickly passed the naira bills to the vendor. While our swindling brokers celebrated, John and I slipped away because the LORD protects us in all we do, both now and forevermore.
Prayer: Lord, let me be consumed with trusting you for everything.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they can see my glory that you gave me because you loved me before the creation of the world. John 17:24 (NETFull)
For years I heard Venice, Italy was the most romantic city in the world. Friends spewed about the gondolas, cathedrals, works of art, and blah, blah, blah. Their descriptions and pictures bored me.
Then one year we visited the famous “City of Light” for ourselves. Only when I rode the boats, explored the maze of bridges, watched fireworks drape golden sparkles over St. Mark’s Square, and heard an orchestra bounce music from the walls of an ancient church did I realize how understated the descriptions had been.
Like my difficulty with Venice, I have a tough time gaining a full appreciation for all that Jesus is. The reason I live with doubt, fear, and conflict is because I underestimate the scope of his majesty. If I truly grasped his sufficiency to absolve sin, I wouldn’t worry about how others judge me. If I would fully see the glory God gave to Jesus after his trials, I would rest in what God is doing through my own trials.
Jesus existed before there was time. He currently holds everything together. He is Immanuel (God with us) and I Am (the name God gave himself) and Jesus (which means God saves). He is the Righteous Judge all men are destined to face, the Word of God, and the light in paradise.
But these encyclopedic facts on their own don’t penetrate my heart. Only when I grab his hand over the stony paths of life, and trust his guidance over bridges of change, and see his provision for places of grace do I begin to grasp the breadth of Jesus. It is in the daily experiential union with Christ that the facts about his majesty become real to my heart.
Prayer: Holy Awesome Lord Jesus, let me experience life with you.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 NET_FL)
The night was thick with hot air and loud worship music. As the evangelistic festival in Tamil Nadu unwound, three Indian coeds pressed through the crowd for prayer. Most people ask for healing or general blessing but these daughters of Christ were different.
“The Hindu landlords won’t rent to Christian girls and for months we’ve tried to find a safe place to live.”
The ladies pulled their shawls over their heads and bowed while I lifted a prayer to heaven on their behalf. Swirling into the muggy either was compassion, faith—mostly theirs—and doubt—mostly mine. After I said amen, I could see their fear was gone. They knew Father God would take care of them. Our prayer was already a success.
When Jesus compared us to sparrows he said we’re precious to God. We matter, we’re not ignored. We are encouraged to pray for our needs, then wait on God’s answer. My job is to trust that his reply and timing are better than my understanding of what is best. I have to transfer responsibility for the outcome from me to him. When that happens, my prayer is successful no matter what the outcome.
Jesus never said we’d always make sense of God’s answers but he unequivocally promised we’d never have cause to fear. Prayer that takes away fear is the definition of successful prayer.
The girls returned the next evening bubbling with excitement. Our prayer had been answered that morning and they had a place to call home. I knew it was really answered the night before, when trust chased fear from their hearts.
Prayer: Compassionate Father, thank you that I can wholly trust you.