Thursday, February 13, 2020 -
In prison, there are days when one gets inclined to be discouraged and other days when one is encouraged. However, I am much better off than all of the prisoners I know here. First and foremost is the fact that I am a child of the God Almighty who I serve with my whole heart. The Holy Spirit dwells within me and I know God is on my side, fighting for me, surrounding me with His angels, and protecting me in every way!
I also am comforted in knowing I am innocent. I broke no laws, and God promises me vindication.
The guard who lets me and my family into the visiting room each week thinks he knows my wife and me quite well (in actuality, he does strip search me every week, come to think of it). As he was escorting me to the bathroom, he asked how much longer I had to stay here, and that at least I had a great support network when I got home. I replied something to the effect that my support network runs in the thousands of people. He said, no, that’s not what I mean, I’m talking about your immediate family. And how true that is! I know of no other inmate whose wife and children come every week – even if they don’t have to travel 10 hours round trip like mine do. How grateful and thankful I am!
And how thankful I am for all of those who I know pray for me. I don’t know who you all are, but I collectively thank God for you each and every day, asking him to in turn reap abundant blessings upon you for your faithfulness. And I cannot count the times when upon mail call I read encouraging words from those of you who write, which so often brings tears to my eyes.
God is good at bringing me promises and comfort from His Word. Today, for example, I read, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me, and the torrents of ungodliness terrified me. The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears…He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also in a broad place; He rescued me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me” (Psalm 18:2-6, 16-20). Indeed, my vindication comes from the Lord. Likewise, you also be encouraged in the Lord!