In our 1989 trip to Uruguay, South America, I ministered in five different cities. One of these was Colonia, founded by the Spaniards, years before the Mayflower unloaded the pilgrims on American soil. God greatly blessed my daily ministry in that city.
After the conclusion of the preaching series, the organizers desired some personal fellowship with my wife and I, and to show us the local scenery. They took us for a very interesting drive along the coast of Uruguay, while we all talked about our wonderful Lord. The Lord and us had a lovely time with them.
As we were returning to town, a young lady in a white uniform was thumbing a ride. We picked her up. She was an elementary teacher, returning home. Teachers salaries are scant in Uruguay. She had missed the local bus. As we drove on, I prayed to the Lord to bless my telling her about the Lord.
God answered my prayer in a most unusual way. A large dog suddenly decided to cross the highway just in front of the car. Our elderly driver slammed on the brakes. The young teacher yelled and covered her eyes.
A loud thud was heard and the dog was killed instantly. It happened so unexpectedly that the driver could not have averted the accident. As we continued the trip our driver said regretfully, “In my long years of driving, this is the first time ever that I have killed an animal!”
At that point the Lord quickened me to say:
“I am glad God protected us from dying in a fatal car accident. A friend of mine told me one of his friends killed himself and seriously injured others, by trying to swerve his car to avoid killing a stray dog.
If a dog dies, that is the end of it. But if a human dies, that is not the end, he will continue his eternal consciousness, either in Heaven or Hell! The Holy Scriptures declare that `it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.’
God allowed this to happen to remind us of the absolute need all of us have to personally settle with God our eternal destiny while there is yet time. God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place, so that His shed blood could wash all our sins away, if we believe in Him and take Him to be our personal Lord and Savior.
He not only can make us righteous before God, but He will also come to reside in us, to really enable us to live the good and right life. He will then live in us, through us, for us, and to the Eternal Father’s Glory!”
The young teacher, her face buried in her hands, was nodding her head in assent. As we talked to her personally, we went as far as we could in seeking to have her express repentance and pray to God. Time will tell. Sometimes we sow, others water, and still others reap what we have sown.
In my life, as I have prayed for an opening to testify to others about Jesus, God has used some amazing ways to cause His Gospel to be preached!
Please join me, will you, in praying for this young teacher, so that you and I will rejoice together when we meet her in glory and hear how God has answered your prayer and mine.
Heavenly Father, I pray that this teacher will become a true Christian. I also pray that You will keep us alert to use the opportunities You provide to testify about You to others. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
From Praying God’s Word – Chapter 6