“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.” (Psalm 23: 1-4 The Message Bible)
Good morning! It’s Sunday! Aren’t you glad that the Lord woke you up this morning? Aren’t you glad He started you on your way? Hopefully, those questions were not perceived by you as church rhetoric, because it’s really true! He is the one that woke you up and let you see another day! He is the One who gave you a reasonable portion of health and strength to start you on your way through this day! But my friend, don’t stop there. Why? Because He is the One who will be with you all day! He will walk with you, and He will talk with you! He will carry you through when the times get tough! He will keep making sure His goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life! Look back over your life story. Don’t you that the Lord in each and every experience. If not, look closer! Let me continue with some more facts that may be perceived as church rhetoric. He is the One who makes all things work out for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose! He is the One who it seemed like He was late, but your experience taught you that He is an on-time God. This is where you say, “Yes, He is!
I need to add that the Lord is still intervening in your life. They call such intervention “miracles.” You better recognize! Recognize that He is the One who kept you from getting hit by a car where the driver was not paying attention to the posted traffic speed signs or the red stop signs! He is the One who kept you from stumbling on a piece of unseen debris and a serious fall was avoided. And if you did fall, He is the One who is healing you right now! He is the One who comforted you when the doctor told you what you did not want to hear, but the Lord reminded you that when you are in Him, everything will be all right! These are miracles! You have experienced more than you know! And sometimes, there are times when you could say nothing else but, “I know it was the Lord!” I’m sure you have a testimony that you were just reminded of by that last declaration. Well, let me tell you about another testimony that belongs to a young lady who is living today because of the Lord’s intervention. Prepare yourself for it is sure enough miracle, or as we would say, a “sure nuff” miracle! (Excuse all the exclamation marks, but I get a little bit excited when I think about all the wonderful acts that the Lord has performed in my life and your life! Take a pause and praise Him! Now, back to the true and recent story. The young woman was traveling down a road and had to cross a railroad track. She proceeded ahead because the warning lights and the wooden bars that come down to prevent a car from proceeding where not working. There is a law in the town she was driving, located in a state where a few of my present and former members live. The town does not allow trains to blow their horns when traveling down the tracks in that area. The young woman continues driving, continues proceeding to cross the tracks. The train hits the car with great force. After the impact it looked like the car had been through one of those compactor machines. Here is the miracle part. The woman only suffered a shoulder injury! You better recognize! The Lord wakes you up! You better recognize! The Lord starts you on your way! You better recognize! The Lord is with you every step of the way! You better recognize! The Lord still performs miracles, small and major, every day! You better recognize! You may have been calling them blessings! But you better recognize! The Lord is still intervening in the lives of His people! Ask yourself, “How did I make it this far?” Ask yourself, “Where did my help come from?” Now answer yourself and say, “I know it was the Lord!” Share this with someone in an email right now and on the subject line write, “You better recognize!” You may feel like you have just had a little bit of church. But don’t let that stop you from going to church this morning and being in the presence of the saints! Shout “Praise God” aloud, one more time! Be blessed!
“You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.” (Psalm 23:5-6 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King