I wanted to get this blog written before the Wimbledon final between Kevin Anderson and Novak Djokovic. Once that starts, I’ll get thinking in another direction.
This morning we woke up late. I got up and made coffee and Mike and I chatted a bit. I looked at the clock. It was 7-49. I haven’t been to church for a few weeks and if I was to go this morning, we had 11 minutes! I told Mike that we had 6 minutes to get ready. Compelled to go, we jumped out of bed and got to church about 8-02am. When I’m nudged into going to church, I wonder what the Lord has in store for me.
Today, it was something special.
In two days time, 17th July, it is my spiritual birthday – I will have been following Jesus Christ for 39 years this year. Today He gave me a gift.
Those who know me and have followed this blog for some time will know that I once had something remarkable happen to me. It was almost 7 years ago and my job was presenting a morning radio show. I was struggling to keep up with producing fresh content and being all happy and joyful every single week day. One Friday morning, I was at my lowest. Up at 3-45am, I went downstairs to have my quiet time. I sat down on the couch with my legs curled under me and my Bible open on my lap.
“Oh! Lord,” I lamented. “I can’t do it! How can I go and do the show all happy and joyful when I’m feeling like this? I can’t do it! What am I to do? I’m feeling so terrible. I’m so miserable. I’m so unhappy. The last thing I feel is fabulous and fun-filled. I can’t go do a Fabulous Fun-filled Friday. Please help!”
And then something absolutely remarkable happened. I got a thought. It went through my head in a clear and concise manner. There was no doubting it. It was as clear as crystal “Go to the Psalm of your age.”
That was strange…the Psalm of my age? Just over a month later, I would turn 47, so I started paging in my Bible to Psalm 47. There was the ‘thought’ again – “No, you are not 47. You are 46. Go to Psalm 46”.
I read the psalm. I got to verse 5 (my birthday is on the 5th) and what I read made me dissolve into tears.
“God is within her – she will not fall – God will help her at the break of day.”
It was a remarkable moment and one that is securely stored in my mind and heart.
God’s gift to me today? A sermon on Psalm 46. I don’t know the name of the guy who preached but tears pricked my eyes as he got to verse 5. He explained that we may think this verse was directed toward Jerusalem (I’d always thought that), but he went on to remind me God makes His home in our heart.
God is within you Helga. You will not fall. God will help you at the break of day. That day 7 years ago, this day today and all the days in the future.
What a blessing!
I made my first podcast (it’s just this testimony recorded). The quality is pretty bad because it was recorded on my cell phone. I’ll improve as we go along.
#723 of my 1000 thanks – a sermon on Psalm 46.
Isaiah 35:4
Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.
The encouragement keeps on coming!
Off to watch the tennis. Go Kevin!
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 9, 2018 South Africa’s Kevin Anderson celebrates winning the fourth round match against France’s Gael Monfils REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
These are the days!
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂