By Leo Hellyer
From time to time, all of us face some turmoil in our lives. We can experience turmoil in our families or with work, friends, elections, and even our churches. Each of us needs to be aware that when there is turmoil in our lives, we do not face that turmoil alone. God Almighty is right there with us. He is waiting for us to call upon His name.
I do not know about you, but for much of my life, I have waited to call upon God until I was miserable while facing the turmoil in my life. Why don’t we call on God in the beginning of a difficult season of our lives? Why do we go to God as a last resort, instead of going to Him immediately?
God can intervene on our behalf in many ways. Remember God does not force Himself upon us. He wants us to come to Him, openly, freely, compassionately, and humbly. One of the ways God intervenes in our lives is through divinely inspired songs that come to our attention at the perfect time. Radio station playlists are usually prepared days before hitting the airwaves. Have you ever been through something in your life, and suddenly, you hear the perfect song that ministers to your heart and soul? That is God intervening on your behalf.
God using His unconditional love on behalf of His children did not just start in this technological age. God is the loving shepherd, taking care of His sheep, even when they stray. There is one chapter of the Bible which has ministered to people of faith throughout the ages, including now, and will continue to minister to the faithful for ages to come.
Before you continue reading this column, I would like you to take your Bible and prayerfully read Psalm 23 in its entirety. Read it without any distractions present. Let God speak to you, wherever you are in your journey right now…
Welcome back.
On December 27,1970, a unique group of people recited Psalm 23 together. These believers did not recite the 23rd Psalm while reading it out of the Bible. None of them had a Bible because their captors took their Bibles from them. They had not seen a Bible for years. These individuals were American prisoners of war, who were held in Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, North Vietnam. This prison was called the Hanoi Hilton by the American POWs. This was a place of extreme torture: physical, psychological, and spiritual.
The POWs were able to recite the 23rd Psalm on the day of their first church service together, because they remembered it from their childhood, or they learned it in the Hanoi Hilton by using a tap code.
Psalm 23 has been put to song in many ways over the years. One of these spiritual songs is powerfully sung by Phil Wickham. It speaks directly to those who hear it along their journey of life. One particular area of the song puts everything in focus when it says, “You’re the shepherd of my soul, You lead me in the right direction, My comfort and My protection.”
We do live in tough times. We can see godlessness in our communities, our nation, and the world in general. We do live in a world of darkness. We can be a light in the world of darkness. If we have Scriptures like the 23rd Psalm in our hearts, no one can take that away from us. We can recall it, and share it in any circumstance we find ourselves in. Even when going through extreme torture in a North Vietnamese prison camp, the American POWs felt the presence of God. Something important to remember, and never forget, is that God did not immediately remove them from the situation they were in. He gave them the strength, heroism, fortitude, faith and, yes, comfort to go through their challenges victoriously.
Right now, we are living in a world in turmoil. There are conflicts between nations around the globe. Many people are worried about what kind of world our children and grandchildren will live in. These are well-placed emotions and questions to have. It is especially important to remember that we are not living in a hopeless situation.
We are children of the Creator, God Almighty. He loves us unconditionally, even when we do stray. We face nothing alone; God is always with us. Protecting us. Guiding us. Loving us. Growing us. God never turns His back on us. He is ever-present. He will deliver us when we call upon His name.
There is no power greater than God Almighty; not the atomic bomb, not torture, not love, not hate, not disease, not politics, not elected officials, nor anything else. God is all powerful, but God is also all loving. Nothing catches God unaware.
God has all the answers. God IS the answer. Wherever you find yourself right now, seek God. Go through whatever you are facing currently with the wonderful assurance that God is with you. He is your “point man,” and He is “covering your six” at the same time. Get your strength from God alone. May God bless you abundantly as you face your challenges with Him by your side.
Leo Hellyer is a non-staff pastor with a local church and has been married to his wife Norma for 50 years. The couple volunteered with the Boise FamilyLife Ministry Team for 20 years. Leo has also been serving with Boise Rescue Mission Ministries for more than 20 years and is currently serving at the River of Life Rescue Mission. He is president and chief firearms instructor with Helping Hands Firearms Training LLC. If you have questions about Real Man’s Toolbox, or need other assistance, he may be reached at [email protected] or (208) 340-5544.
Copyright © 2020 Christian Living Magazine All Rights Reserved.
