I'm going to share a powerful testimony that was shared via Periscope from someone dear to me. I will dramatize it cause that's just how I am.
Ring, ring. The phone rings. She looks at the caller ID and before she rolls her eyes, she catches herself and instead decides to answer.
"Well! Good morning," she joyfully exclaimed.
Shocked, the person on the other ends clears their throat and begins to introduce herself and explain the purpose of the call.
"Hello!", she replied with glee, "how are you?"
"Ahem...I'm well," the caller replies, still surprised. "Are you aware that you owe [$200] for your [phone] bill?" the caller asked.
"I sure am!" She replied.
"Umm...well ma'am," the caller hesitated, "when do you think you will be able pay?"
"Well, ma'am," she began still full of glee, "when God gives me the money to pay it, I will surely send it on."
"Oh....ok...umm...well can you give me you card number so we can do a payment today?" the caller asked.
"Sure! I can give you the number to my debit card, but ma'am, it won't work," she told her.
The caller paused, "O...k... When will you be able to make a payment?"
"Ma'am, when God gives me the money to pay, I will surely pay, but until he releases it to me, I can't say when," she replied.
"So...ma'am are you a pastor?" the caller asked? "Has your occupation changed?"
"Yes it has. I'm in ministry full time now!" she excitedly exclaimed.
"Oh! So you're a pastor?" the caller asked.
"I am not," she replied.
"So what would you consider your occupation?" the caller inquired further.
"Well, we minister to the people and make ourselves available 24 hours as God leads us," she replied.
"So, ma'am, would you consider yourself a minister?" the caller asked.
"Well, yes I do," she answered.
"Well, ok. I must say, I have really enjoyed making this call to you today. It really touched me. I'm going to transfer you to another recording so we can try to get you a two month extension. Just tell the answer the prompt to indicate that you are in ministry full time and this should ensure your extension goes through," the caller coached.
Before they'd ended the call, the caller coached her further on how to reply (honestly of course) and delightfully thanked her for taking the call and passed her on to the recording for an extension.
Last week, the start of this article popped up and I kept wondering, how would this apply to the next block of scripture God gave. I've just read them and now want to kick myself. Lol.
The LORD knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the LORD, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away. Psalms 37:18-20 NKJV
Wow! When she shared the testimony, I was blown away. The first thing the enemy (which could easily be self) did was attack her mood. She wanted to not answer but instead decided that the joy of the Lord is her strength.
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV
And I do wholeheartedly believe that this encounter was orchestrated by God. I could feel in my spirit that the caller needed to be encouraged and I am so thankful that the lady was obedient.
When we feel like nothing is going right for us, know that the Lord remembers us! Just like an escape was made for this lady, He will make an escape for you. We will not be put to shame.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13 NKJV
She was tempted not to answer. Was even tempted to not be joyful. But in her obedience, He made an escape for her. He remembered her. She remembered His promise that if she did what He told her to do, He would take care of the rest. And as He has done before, I'm sure He can easily wipe this debt clean!
In the days of famine, we who are righteous, shall be satisfied!
Always, joyfully,
Keiyia JOYet George
Had God given you an assignment that seems unbearable? Take it to Him and ask Him for guidance. He promised to never leave or forsake us and if He has given you a job, He will surely give you the resources to complete it. What assignments have you been given that lead to a tremendous testimony?
Psalms 37 Series
Part 1 - Evildoers
Part 2 - Do Good
Part 3 - Heart's Desire
Part 4 - The Son Will Rise and Shine For You
Part 5 - REST
Part 6 - Soar Like an Eagle
Part 7 - Seek the Kingdom
Part 8 - It's Not Your Fight
Part 9 - You Will Reap It All