He is faithful who promised! Almost four years ago I got the worst news I have ever heard. I was told that our son, who was 18 yrs. old at the time, had been charged with 1st. degree murder. The news was devastating to say the least! My husband and I did not believe it, nor did our family, friends, neighbors and many others who were acquainted with our son. He was and is a good son. He did not give us trouble growing up. He was raised in church, and he had given his life to Christ at an early age, a hard worker, and respectful to others. This tragic news had to be a mistake! To my astonishment, on every “Breaking News” tv station was our son’s mugshot and it was broadcast that he had confessed to shooting another youth. For me to describe the experience, was like being in a horrible nightmare and when I woke up, I was still in it. The body of Christ truly demonstrated the love of God to us and our son during this time in our lives. The Lord was faithful to give us strength each day. Now, I understand, “One day at a time, sweet Jesus” like I have never understood it before.
One day I was driving along, and the Lord spoke to me and said, “Hold on to the promises of God”. The first scripture that came to mind was Proverbs 11:21b “the seed of the righteous will be delivered”. Also, the Lord gave me and two of our daughters and three grandchildren dreams of our son coming home. The Lord blessed our son to have the best defense attorney in our state to represent our son when we didn’t have the money for him to even consider taking our son’s case. The Lord is faithful who promised!
Soon after our son was arrested, our youth pastor prayed with him, and he gave his life back to Christ. While he was in the county jail awaiting trial, our son ministered to other inmates in his pod. Also conducted Bible Studies and held prayer circles. We have received many letters from inmates telling my husband and I how our son influenced them for Christ and gave them hope. Many of the inmates gave their lives to Christ as a result. Also some of the officers have told my husband and I good things they have observed about our son. In November of 2012 our son was sentenced to life w/o parole and is now in a state prison. I am still holding on to the promises of God, and will continue to hold on to His Word for our son. I believe our son will walk out of prison not only free in Christ Jesus but also physically free in God’s perfect timing. What the Devil meant for evil God has turned it and is continuing to turn it around for good! The Lord has given us and our son peace, strength, mercy, grace and favor through this tragic time in our lives. He is faithful to what he promised, and he will do it!
I am sure this young man nor his family was expecting something like this to happen. But God knew because He is an all-knowing God. Not only did God know what was going to happen before hand, He knew the parents, church and everyone involved was going to need supernatural strength to get through such a horrific event.
Without a doubt the young man’s mother had every opportunity to allow herself to become discouraged, fearful, and impatient while displaying little faith of believing God would do the impossible.
God knows! He knows what His people are going through every single day. We may be surrounded by all manner of unsympathizing struggles/challenges . And we may find ourselves tempted to be overcome by fear, doubt and distrust. We may even think God has forgotten about our situation and is unwilling to move on our behalf. In Isaiah 39:6, we see the people of Judah being prepared for their Captivity in Babylon. The prophet told King Hezekiah: “Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the Lord.”
We have to learn to praise God in challenges, when we are faced with the impossible. Praise God and received what has been done for you at the finish work of the cross. During difficult trails, don’t stop praising God. Praise causes faith to triune. Find something to thank God for when you are in the midst of an impossible situation. You are in charge of what governs your life. If you want your victories to manifest, praise God. When you praise God in everything, you position yourself to see the full manifestation of your faith.
You cannot climb the mountain if the mountain is smooth. So expect some rough places along the way. They are there to help you get to the top.
Jean Lee Duke