People often as me what one thing in India stands out to me. Most then follow with suggestions like food, poverty, the number of people, but none of those things even come close to the memory that I will never forget. That question brings back more emotions that one would think and those emotions feel the same as they did when I first heard the testimony of one of my students.
I meant to write about this on the last day that we were still in India when we had some time, but I never seemed to get around to it.
It was the last day of our teaching time at Logos. Each day I had students share their testimonies of how they came to know Christ, what he was currently doing in their hearts, and what their goal was after college. Many shared about their families, struggles throughout childhood, bible schools, crusades, etc. But one story stood out to me above all the others I heard. It wasn't that this particular girl's story was any better than the other, but it was because the Lord had used the same Scripture in our lives to bring about change in our hearts for the sake of the Gospel.
It the muggy room that morning, she got up and stood in front on the podium. She, like the others, told about her father, mother, and her siblings. Of course, they included their ages and whether or not they were married. (This seemed to be a given of introductions) She told of her family without much emotion. But then everything changed. Her eyes suddenly lit up and I can't even describe the connection my spirit made with hers. She started reciting Psalm 27. Instantly our eyes connected, my face lit up as hers did, and I recited it with her. Tears rolled from my eyes. I was overjoyed. I was humbled. I was saddened. I was hopeful. I was so incredibly thankful for the Gospel. I was thankful for Christ. I was thankful for a God whom is also a Father. After she recited the passage, she went on to tell how the Lord had used that Scripture in her life.
I meant to write about this on the last day that we were still in India when we had some time, but I never seemed to get around to it.
It was the last day of our teaching time at Logos. Each day I had students share their testimonies of how they came to know Christ, what he was currently doing in their hearts, and what their goal was after college. Many shared about their families, struggles throughout childhood, bible schools, crusades, etc. But one story stood out to me above all the others I heard. It wasn't that this particular girl's story was any better than the other, but it was because the Lord had used the same Scripture in our lives to bring about change in our hearts for the sake of the Gospel.
It the muggy room that morning, she got up and stood in front on the podium. She, like the others, told about her father, mother, and her siblings. Of course, they included their ages and whether or not they were married. (This seemed to be a given of introductions) She told of her family without much emotion. But then everything changed. Her eyes suddenly lit up and I can't even describe the connection my spirit made with hers. She started reciting Psalm 27. Instantly our eyes connected, my face lit up as hers did, and I recited it with her. Tears rolled from my eyes. I was overjoyed. I was humbled. I was saddened. I was hopeful. I was so incredibly thankful for the Gospel. I was thankful for Christ. I was thankful for a God whom is also a Father. After she recited the passage, she went on to tell how the Lord had used that Scripture in her life.
She repeated verse 10, "For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in." She spoke with more joy than I could ever justly describe with mere words, that her father and her mother had, in fact, forsaken her. But it was okay. She went on to explain that it was okay because God's word tells her that the Lord will never forsake her. The assurance she found and testified to of the infallible Word of God was incredible, peace-filled, and confident. She didn't shed a tear over the abandonment of her parents, though she probably had prior to this point. She was trusting in the Lord to not only provide for her, but to be her Father.
The contentment, peace, and joy with which she spoke was encouraging and pointed straight to the Father who has provided for her deepest need in Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. She knows that although she is currently facing estrangement from her family, she knows that Christ has suffered the ultimate suffering and hers, comparatively, is not so bad. She holds fast the promise that she will not be afraid of this life because she knows her future both on earth and after she dies is in Christ.
As she finished testifying of God's grace, I wiped the tears from my eyes, placed my hands together, palms pressed together, fingers pointing up right below my chin and gave a slight nod to her to humbly thank her for her testament of God's grace in her life.
I pray that the Spirit would cause the words to come alive in your heart and bring you incredibly joy that is only found in knowing that it is the Lord is your light, your salvation, your stronghold and because of that, come what may, you can live without fear.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet[b] I will be confident.
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet[b] I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire[c] in his temple.
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire[c] in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek[d] my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”[e]
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek[d] my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”[e]
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe[f] that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
No comments:
Post a Comment