Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. -Deuteronomy 4:9 (NASB)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
God is good. God is faithful. He breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through iron bars. He opens eyes, strengthens the weak, and accompanies those who walk in Him alone…and those who walk with Him walk with purpose, perseverance, and the best destination waiting at the end of this worldly journey. Here’s a piece of my testimony to Him doing just that in my life.
I’m the first believer in my immediate family, almost three years reborn at the time of this writing (I was reborn at 40 years old), breaking cycles of idolatry over a millennia old. I had to secretly witness to my father on his deathbed when my mother was out of the room, and he didn’t want it…but who knows what might’ve happened between when I saw him and when he expired. I planted His Word, which is promised to not return void…but is also up against man’s free will to accept in surrender or deny in hardheartedness.
Days later, I literally stood up alone as family and monks went prostrate before the crowds in my father’s three-day Buddhist funeral proceedings. The pressure to conform was incredible. I felt like the lone nail standing up, waiting for the hammer to drop. I would not bow or take part in those ceremonies (ancestor worship, food offered for idols, idol worship, etc.), despite well-meaning friends saying God would understand. The entire Old Testament, especially The Books of Exodus through Judges and Kings clearly say otherwise. (Not to mention the first commandment!)
But God forged for me a backbone from standing for Him, so I can now stand against anything through Christ who strengthens me. The God of hosts (angel armies) goes before me, stands behind me, and covers me on all sides…and He will do the same for you.
He breaks chains and gives us the certainty and purpose we never had before. I cannot know for sure where my father is now, but my son knows who I walk with here, and will know whose house I will be in when my journey is done here. The torch of salvation burns brightly, and will forge a new generational chain to God’s glory.
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