About seven years ago, I began to put my bible study thoughts into writing and circulate among a few friends that I had about that time. Before this time however, I used to keep a journal of my life experiences.
A few days ago, I was searching through some old stuff and came across one of my old diaries and I began to read through some of the things I wrote so many years ago. It was an emotional moment for me, as my memory began playing back some of the scenes I put down in my diary.
Many of the moments captured in that diary were times of struggles and my desire to succeed in spite of the seemingly huge obstacles threatening to block me from achieving my desired life goals. It was in the midst of these struggles that I began to write. As I overcome each challenge, my experience became the raw material for my writings.
The amazing thing I discovered is that someone, somewhere was going through the same challenge I went through and my story gave them the encouragement to go on in spite of all odds.
Writing for Biblepraise is not always an easy task. The reason is that I need to wait for God to give me something to write. Sometimes I wait and agonize for hours on end to receive something that I believe God wants me to share with readers. For me, it is more than just sitting down and jotting a few things from the Bible and making an article out of it. It is waiting for that word that I believe God wants me to say to someone somewhere in South Africa, Florida, China or in Lagos, Nigeria.
One very important lesson I have learnt along the way is that a Christian never walks alone. The journey is not easy because we are living in enemy terrain. There are treacherous paths, unfriendly hills and darkened valleys on the way but what keeps the Christian moving is the One who is always there when no one is there.
One of my favourite verse of scripture is a promise made to Joshua and by extension to all believers, ‘..Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5b) This promise is all the more important to us at this period in time, when the world is going through an economic avalanche and there is fear, frustration and even anger by many.
I have experienced the fulfillment of this promise in my life over and over again along my journey through life. God is always there. Sometimes He is that person who sends me an email, telling me how one of my previous stories ministered to him, at a time when I am wondering if anyone is really reading the newsletter. Many times He showed me his presence by flooding my heart with an unusual peace even when all around me was stormy and waves threatened to swallow me up.
Whether you have been caught up in the current financial crisis and so many things are threatening, I want you to know that you are not alone. God is in the midst of it with you and I assure you, He knows the way out. Just listen to Him, He will take you through and take you out.
The Psalmist confirmed this promise when he said, ‘I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread’ (Ps 37:25) This, I believe is God’s word to you today, God isn’t about to stand by and watch while His children suffer in penury and abject poverty. He will take care of you.
If you think you are alone, then you are being lied to by the evil one. God is and will always be with you anywhere and anytime. Do not ever forget that!
Steve o. Popoola
© Biblepraise Fellowship Online, March 2009
You will Never Walk Alone
Along life's road
There will be sunshine and rain
Roses and thorns, laughter and pain
And 'cross the miles
You will face mountains so steep
Deserts so long and valleys so deep
Sometimes the Journey's gentle
Sometimes the cold winds blow
But I want you to remember
I want you to know
You will never walk alone
As long as you have faith
Jesus will be right beside you all the way
And you may feel you're far from home
But home is where He is
And He'll be there down every road
You will never walk alone
Never, no never
The path will wind
And you will find wonders and fears
Labors of love and a few falling tears
Across the years
There will be some twists and turns
Mistakes to make and lessons to learn
Sometimes the journey's gentle
Sometimes the cold winds blow
But I want you to remember wherever you may go
Jesus knows your joy, Jesus knows your need
He will go the distance with you faithfully
(Music by Point of Grace)
Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the webmaster of Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. British by birth, He currently resides in Lagos, Nigeria with wife Maris and their children; Praise, Stephanie and Precious. He works as an IT professional in a bank. He presently serves as Church Secretary and Heads the Music Ministry in his local church . He loves to encourage and inspire through speaking forums. He is the Moderator/Editor of Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address, steve@biblepraise.org
