JanBeek

Isaiah 43:4-5a.

“Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men to exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid for I am with you…”

I knew where we were going… HOME! And I knew God was with us, guarding and guiding us. I learned as we were at the “41 miles to go” mark that a woman about my age had died in a tragic accident the day before on this very stretch of road. Her demise was a jack-knifed semi. She hit black ice and slid into it when she was trying to turn and avoid it. It was a clear day – at 4: o’clock in the afternoon. We were traveling home on that two-lane road in the dark. A host of family and friends were praying for our safe travel. We TRUSTED God’s guidance as we crept along, blinded by the bright headlights of on-coming semis.

At about the “20 miles to go” mark, if I had my window down, I could have reached out and touched the big doe that was preparing to cross the road in front of us. We didn’t see the deer until we were almost on top of it… or it on top of us! You can imagine how we prayed prayers of gratitude all the rest of the way home!!

This morning, in my wonderful upstairs space that I call my “sanctuairee,” I was reading a commentary by Rev. Dr. David Jeremiah. It was for me!!

“Praising God for Miracles”

“Among the stories connected to the memory of Francis of Assisi is this one: One day Francis gathered his friends at a remote monastery in central Italy. When he asked them about their journeys, each brother had an exciting tale to report. One had been riding his mule across a narrow bridge that spanned a deep gorge. When the mule bolted, the man was nearly thrown into the ravine. He praised God he hadn’t been killed.

Another brother had nearly drowned fording a river, but he said, ‘God in His grace provided a tree that had fallen across the water. I was able to grasp a branch and pull myself to safety.’ Other brothers expressed similar stories of God’s protection.

Then someone asked Francis about his trip. ‘I experienced the greatest miracle of all,’ said the famous friar. ‘I had a smooth, pleasant, and uneventful journey.’

We should always remember to praise God for His miracles in whatever form they come. He blesses, heals, rescues, delivers, helps, and uplifts more times every day than we can count. We should always be saying, ‘Thank You, Lord!’

Psalm 121:2
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth”

Thank you, David Jeremiah, for your timely message this day. It’s a perfect one!

So, on this journey called life,
I choose to trust God.
I may not know
where He is taking me tomorrow,
but I know if I trust in Him,
and ask for His guidance,
and look for His direction,
He will not fail me.

Looking again at the scripture Dr. Jeremiah chose for today’s devotional,
I am reminded of Martin Luther King Day yesterday…
and the way he gave his life for his principles
of Freedom, Equality for all,
and Non-violence.

Yes, God said, “I will give men to exchange for your life.”

I pray we all will remember the men and women
who gave their lives so that we might enjoy the peace we have today.
It is still going on in those war-torn places around the world.
God bless our faithful warriors who fight to keep us free
and those servants of God world-wide
who choose to TRUST in God’s protection
as they fight to maintain their county’s freedom.
Amen

Thank You, God, for the way
You bless,
heal, rescue,
deliver, help,
and uplift us
more times every day
than we can count.

Help us follow Your example of love
and spread Your Good News
with Trust and Assurance
every day.
Amen