God can manifest His miraculous power every step of the way!

The message of this Psalm has been proven true many times over in my personal life. Every step of the way and every step I make are all ordered by the Lord in His perfect or permissive will. He controls my steps to guide and lead to the right direction. 

I have disobeyed Him many times and took the sideroads, thinking they were better and more convenient. I have taken spiritual short cuts and had plenty of stopovers, but His grace always placed me back to His path. 

Because “God is able” to do everything according to His will, He allowed me to experience many incredible and miraculous things I could never explain in my personal and miniterial journeys through the 52 years in the ministry. He did that and will He continue doing it because we have a ministry to fulfill!

Our text says, “The steps of a good man…” Well, I consider myself “good” not because I am good. It was Jesus Christ who made me good and He blessed for saving me and choosing me as His servant. 

In today’s devotion, let me share with you one step (I have many more coming) in my life when God made me feel His presence and experience His miraculous power.

My Personal testimony:

Over 20+ years ago when IBBC was using a Church facility in San Lorenzo, I sometimes would drop by the office to meet some appointments and finalize things for the weekend. Later that Friday afternoon, I noticed that it was already late. After praying with the staff, I rushed out to leave so I could make it on time to my next home Bible Study at the house of Dr Simeon in Lodi, Ca, at 7pm, which is about 2 hours drive depending on traffic.

I was already on 580 east Freeway when I noticed my gas was almost empty. The needle was almost down to the last line and the warning light was on. I made a decision to stop at the nearest gas station to fill up. Maybe because I was so focused listening to the radio broadcast that I totally forgot about gas. Besides, I am a person obsessed with being on time that I always wanted to be prompt and early in all my appointments. I hated being late. 

Finally, after a 2 hour drive, I arrived at 6:45 pm, relieved that I made it but I noticed the gas light was still on. Somehow, I made it through a 100+ miles drive without any problem. The gas should have ran out within 5-10 miles after leaving the office. At this time I was getting anxious about driving home later after 11pm. Would I have enough gas to drive to the nearest station after the Bible Study? I reacted as a typical human being, more concerned about the problem, instead of being thankful to God.

The Lord made me realized quickly that He answered my prayer to be on time. Yes, I recalled that I did not pray about gas or even about making it to the next gas station. I prayed for the Lord to help me arrive safely on time, specifically before 7pm.

Needless to say, I asked the Lord to forgive me for not believing what I prayed for. I apologized on focusing more on the problem or difficulties than on my God who could take control of everything. As He promised, God directed my steps!

Lesson/Application:

The Bible clearly implies that we as God’s servants will always be hindered, tempted, and stopped by the enemies; especially when we follow and live for God. Who do we think protect us and keep us from harm? It is God and His angels. Without their protection, we would be discouraged or gone long time ago.

I believe God knew about my concerns. He was aware about the time on Friday being a rush hour. He knew my mind was pre-occupied with other things. He was aware of everything that He decided to take control of my mind. He had taken control of the car and the gas. He finally took control of my heart and made me realized that He was willing to perform a miracle that afternoon in my life to prove that He has power over everything in this world and that He would not allow His purpose in my life to be defeated.

Conclusion:

This is a testimony that God can bend and manipulate the natural process in order to make His power known and for us to fulfill His will. 

Moreover, this is not an excuse to be irresponsible by not doing what is necessary within our power when faced with difficulties just because we know that God can do it for us. We have a responsibility to use our God-given faculties and resources and allow God to perform His will, in His time and for His glory. Consider the following:

⁃We need to exercise and eat right to stay healthy. Do not expect God to do it for us. He did it already by giving us a wonderful and healthy body.

⁃God has given us wisdom not to touch things that can harm us. God has equipped us with common sense and intelligence to know. Yet some people provoke God and end up sick or dead like those Pastors who handle poisonous snake to prove their faith in God.

⁃Does God understand if I give a big offering in exchange to not going to Church? Remember “obedience is better than sacrifice.”

•we cannot disobey one of God’s laws by promising to do more with another law. If we break one, we are guilty of breaking all!

Conclusion:

We have a powerful God but His power is not for us to abuse, misuse, or use as an excuse. He will manifest His power to and through us as He pleases based on His will.