David, one of the men in our church spoke this past Sunday
and shared a wonderful testimony of something amazing God did that he was
privileged to be a part of. In telling his story I need to back up a little and
put it in context.
David has always been intrigued by people who say, "God told me this...", or "God spoke to me and said..." He heard about people saying that had dreams and visions, but never felt God had ever done anything like that with him. He knew God spoke to him through the bible, his conscience, circumstances, and through others. Yet, he felt and sensed there was more for him. That God wanted to communicate things personally through the Holy Spirit. So he began praying and seeking to hear God's voice. Not necessarily an audible voice, but that God would speak to him in such a way that he could, "God told ME this..."
With much and prayer and seeking, little by little he began to hear God speaking to him. What began as a trickle, developed into a stream. With that as a background, here is his amazing testimony he shared with our church yesterday.
David was on his way home from work in the Detroit area, and stopped for gas in what many would call the rougher part of town. While filling his car he noticed a man digging through the gas stations garbage can looking for bottles and cans, but he seemed to be finding none. It was at this point David felt the Lord speak to him and say, "Give him four dollars." David rarely carries cash, he almost exclusively uses debit/credit cards, so he pushed the thought aside, thinking he had no cash with him. He felt God speak to him the second time, "Give him four dollars." He was starting to think God was speaking to him, but said to the Lord, "I don't have four dollars", so he pushed the voice aside again. For the third time, he felt God say, "Give him four dollars."
Unable to resist the voice of the Lord anymore he reached for his wallet, and to his utter amazement there were four one dollar bills in his wallet, no more no less. Then he remembered a week or so earlier he needed some cash and his wife Cathy gave him ten dollars. He bought something for six dollars, put the change in his wallet, forgot about it, and there it sat until God called for it.
David went over to the man, and was a little uncomfortable giving him just four dollars. How could four dollars really make a difference in his life after all? David introduced himself and said, "God really loves you, and He wanted me to give your this four dollars." He gave him the money, talked for a moment and then returned to his vehicle, but looking back at the man he saw he was now bent over and shuddering. David realized he was crying and walked back to the man to talk to him some more.
He then told David the most amazing thing. He said that while he was digging for bottles and cans hoping to get some money for food, he became discouraged realizing there was nothing in the can. In desperation he uttered this simple prayer, "God if you are real, let me have four dollars." It was at that very moment, David showed up, and with the four dollars in his wallet, turned that man's day around and left a permanent mark in his life of God's faithfulness and care for him.
David encouraged him, and was able to pray with him about some of the circumstances of his life. Though the man didn't get saved that day, I am convinced he will because when God starts something He sees it through to completion. Philippians 1:6 There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
David heard God speak, responded, and God made a mark on that man's heart and life that is the equivalent to being engraved with a diamond pointed pen of iron. We all wind up with marks in life that are made by people. Some will be cherished memories, some will be scars and painful. But when God marks a man or woman, He does it to be a permanent reminder of His goodness and love. He marks us, in the same way He Himself is marked. We read this in Isaiah 49:16 "Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands..."
Like David I can point to many times in my life, where I could say, "I felt the Lord tell me..." Hearing his testimony yesterday burned in me a fresh fire to hear God like David did that day, so that someone living in a desperate situation could have a token of God's love deposited in their heart. Jesus said, "My sheep know My voice," May God bless our spiritual hearing so that we can bring life giving words to others. Keep your fire burning!
