Oh, what a day it has been! This morning, I started my day with my usual time on God’s word. I read from Psalm 46:1-5 which says,
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
I then proceeded to do what I was scheduled to do, and that is to bring my car to Banawe St. for a needed repair. On my way, I felt the power of the engine start to weaken, until the RPM was not even responding even when my foot was on the accelerator. Nearing the underpass of Quezon Avenue corner Araneta, I whispered a prayer, “Lord, don’t let my car stop in the underpass.” Immediately after I prayed, my car’s engine just lost all power. The engine won’t start and the car won’t move.
I was in the second lane of a 6-lane road, and I had to bring the car to the side, which meant crossing three lanes of vehicles who were not so willing to give way. I can’t just leave it there or it will mean being towed by a wrecker, and I can’t afford to see that happen. I pushed the car (which is a 7-seater, this should give you an idea of its size) while turning the steering wheel to the right (which was so hard without the power-steering on). Some cars and jeepneys gave me passage, others did not. But finally, I got to the rightmost lane, which was a miracle! I pushed the car all by myself! Whew! (God gave me the strength to do it I know.)
But here’s something more amazing! When I reached the roadside, lo and behold, I was in front of Good Samaritan United Methodist Church, a church where I used to pastor! The guard who was there asked me where I was headed, and I told him I needed to bring my car to a parking slot so as to avoid being towed. (I also introduced myself as a former pastor there. That helped!) He joined me in pushing the car to bring it up the elevated gutter. We did not have momentum, but we were able to do it! Pondering on it, I told the guard that it was a good thing that the two of us were able to push it up the gutter. He told me that there were TWO others who helped us. But I assure you, dear friends, there was NONE except the guard and me. Those TWO others must have been ANGELS! Wooohooo!!!
Anyways, fast forward. I was there the whole day today watching the two mechanics try their best to repair my car but to no avail. The repair story of my car continues tomorrow, but already, I have seen how God has used His word to me this morning to prepare me for the day ahead. The Lord of the word is faithful when He said,
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns. (Psalm 46:1-5)
Dear people, God is our refuge. He is our very present help in trouble. He did not promise us that there would be no trouble, but He did promise us His presence in our times of trouble. Thus, we will not allow fear to have its way. Instead, we should allow God’s river of joy to flood us even in the midst of these troubles. Release your “Hahahaha!” today! As an added bonus, God will even release His angels to come and help us overcome! Smile! =)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rev. Hiram Pangilinan is the Senior Pastor of Church So Blessed, a community of Christians whose primary ministry is healing, deliverance and revival. Visit their website at http://churchsoblessed.org/
