Year after year, I have experienced some kind of Christmas miracle. This year my Christmas miracle arrived at the end of November. For two months I have prayed everyday for an awesome young man in ministry who is walking through fire, and I just keep praying that God will sustain him. (Psalm 34:18) Well, I received a text from this precious brother in Christ and wow did I get a Christmas Miracle, please read the text below:
“This morning I read Nehemiah 8:1-12. It was a reminder when God’s Words were made know to the people and the Joy of Lord was their strength. The text says from daybreak to noon the book of the law of Moses had given was read and they stood and then they bowed and worshiped. This day was holy to the Lord, and they should not mourn or weep, but they should enjoy. They should celebrate…eat what is rich, and drink what is sweet…why? Because the joy of the Lord was their strength! That prompted me to read God’s Word and I went to Deuteronomy, and I read chapter 1-8. It was a reminder of the Lord’s faithfulness. I wrote down in my journal so many things I felt the Lord was showing me in His Word. Then I had this thought to go back and read some of my old journals.
I found a journal from 20 years ago, and as I flipped just a few pages I came across some MORE REASONS FOR JOY. In January 2004 we were at a conference called Konnection (retreat for summer counselor for Kamp Kanakuk).
A reference to Nehemiah 8 catches my attention since that’s what started my journey today. So, I look at the top of the page and see the “guest speaker” that was sharing this passage! (He included a photograph from his journal with the following title: Nehemiah 8, Joy Robbers by J. Kendall, 2004)
Now tears of joy and the Lord’s reminder that He orchestrates and plans and cares for each of us…always. Who knew that almost 20 years later at a time when Joy might be low, the Lord would provide a unique reminder of a small world and a God who can connect and orchestrates WHATEVER HE WANTS.
Words here in this text can’t really express what I’m feeling but what great reminder especially in this season of all our lives of our reasons for Joy.
Words as true Now as they were almost 20 years ago…Thanks Mrs. Jackie for continuing to be faithful now and back then. (I just met this young man two years ago—have seen him two times.)
When I read this text and saw the picture in his journal of my message notes, I sobbed for the longest time. Here I am praying for a young servant of the Lord and God uses me in his life—20 years ago and then again today. This text just shouted to this old warrior’s soul:
“And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not…” (Gal. 6:9)
My 2023 Christmas Miracle was God using me to provide a Heavenly Amen for someone I have been banging on heaven for and choosing to not grow weary in well-doing. I have lived long enough to KNOW that “every miracle is preceded by a moment of obedience—a holy nudge.” This brother in Jesus was nudged by God to look at an old journal and received a “heavenly Amen” delivered through Sovereignty.