My wife Shelley says, “Intercessory prayer is the highest calling there is to ministry, because it is the ministry of our risen and exalted Savior who sits at the right hand of God, and is ‘able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them,’ according to Hebrews 7:25.”
I appreciate that idea. It helps me recognize that God’s calling on my life plays an important role in His plan for humanity. I pray with suffering people all day long at work in the 3ABN Pastoral Department. But the duty of intercessory prayer doesn’t end there. Look at world events—there are plenty of people for all of us to be praying for. Shelley and I have a broad network of Christian friends, and prayer requests stream in from them daily.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized that many of our friends needed encouragement. One Friday evening, about a year ago, God impressed me to text a promise from Scripture to a good number of them. I was amazed at how many people responded that it was “exactly what I needed to hear at this moment.” It has become my Friday night ritual to text a Scripture verse and a word of encouragement—now to over 400 people.
Last week, I sent this text: “Happy Sabbath! ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’ (Literally: a help in distresses has He been found exceedingly) Psalm 46:1. Thank You, Jesus, I certainly need You. God bless you. Sent with much Christian love. JD/SQ”
A short while later, I received this response from one of our friends: “Thank you JD. God is always good. The fact that you sent that very Scripture tonight is amazing! I really needed this scripture tonight. Traveling home with my daughter and my four grandkids, we stopped to fuel up, and get the kids some goodies. When I paid at the counter, I laid my little coin purse down as I signed the receipt. Tired from our trip, I grabbed the goodies and went to my vehicle. I immediately realized I had left my little purse and ran back to retrieve it. It was gone—in the twinkling of an eye! Two credit cards, driver’s license, and $75 cash. I was heartbroken. Thieves are everywhere. I feel sick. I know it could have been worse. I need Jesus to help me pray for this thief. Please! Maybe they’ll be convicted to return it. With God, all things are possible.”
Our friend has a strong connection to the Lord and a noble graciousness about her. I’m sure even in the midst of her angst she reflected the character of Christ to the person behind the convenience store counter. As disappointed and heartsick as she was, she isn’t the type to throw a scene that might disgrace her Savior. And His Word helped her regain her peace. Focusing on God as her helper, she was counting her blessings.
Her situation reminds me of this quote: “The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the courts above. ” Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 301.
When things change in a twinkling of an eye, it’s good to humbly trust God, remembering our connection with the courts above. The Bible tells us the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). Humility really means to recognize our dependence upon God. Humility is the foundation for self-control, and develops a noble character. Today’s culture doesn’t regard humility as a show of strength, but it connects us to God, and He makes us strong. He gives us the victory—over all our circumstances—through Christ Jesus.
Are you one of the many people who are suffering shock from a split-second attack of our enemy? Stay focused on the heavenly courts above, and gather strength from God’s promise of our final victory: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory….’ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Corinthians 15:51–54, 57.
When the thief comes suddenly and unexpectedly to steal our joy and security, this promise is exactly what we need to hear to turn our attention from temporal to eternal life. Look to Jesus! Hold on to His promised return! With the sound of a trumpet, He will come to gather His people to Him, and we will all be changed. We will put on immortality, and death will be swallowed up in victory—in the twinkling of an eye.
