“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NASB)
Before you read any further, I want you to share a fact with you; a fact that will help you understand the meaning behind the content that follows. This fact will also help you appreciate that you are one of the chosen. Fact: Scientists estimate that Earth contains 7.5 sextillion sand grains. That is 75 followed by 17 zeros. That’s a lot of sand. Now, read on.
Over 30 years ago, a guest preacher’s wife was asked by her husband to sing a solo. Before singing she shared an experience that she had had one day while she was doing chores in the basement level of their home. She informed the congregation that she was quietly going about her work when the Holy Spirit touched her and put a message on her heart to be shared as a testimony. Being more specific, she explained that the Holy Spirit caused her to picture a large sandy beach. He asked her, “What do you see?”. She thought, “Just a lot of sand.” The Holy Spirit said, “You are one of those many pebbles. One day, the Lord picked you, a pebble on the beach, and held you in His hand, and you will never need to worry about being dropped and never have to worry about being snatched.” The Holy Spirit reminded her of some scriptural truths, but she said that the one that stood out most was the verse that tells us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. As the guest’s preacher’s wife went on, she started getting happy, and then she broke out singing her solo, filled with emotion, singing the words found in a familiar song. I can reflect back on how I heard the sincerity in her voice as she sang, often pausing because of her joy. The words…
Shackled by a heavy burden
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same
He touched me, oh, He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened, and now I know
He touched me, and made me whole
Since I’ve met this blessed Savior
Since He’s cleansed and made me whole
Oh, I will never cease to praise Him (to praise Him)
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls
Oh, He touched me, oh He touched me, He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole
This Sunday, pause and identify with the guest preacher’s wife, both her basement experience and her solo. Think about a beach, more expansive than you have ever seen before. And then realize that the Lord choose you one day. Imagine you were the pebble of sand on the beach, blessed to be seen as precious by the Lord. Think of how He has held you ever since! Praise Him before you even enter the sanctuary! You will do that if you just stop and think of your personal testimony, how the Lord cared so much for you! You have your own pebble on the beach story, that I am sure of, my friend. Praise God again! Enjoy your worship experience! Be blessed!
“My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King