And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near. - Hebrews 10:25
The brother in the previous reading who attends Grace Revolution Church in Dallas also shared with me another precious testimony of how the Lord had protected him and his wife from the tragic terrorist attacks that took place in Paris:
To celebrate our anniversary on 10th November 2015, I wanted to do something very special. My wife enjoys cooking and baking, and loves French cuisine. We had been talking about travelling to Europe and I thought this would be a good time for us to travel to Paris to celebrate our anniversary. I had set up a trip leaving on the Wednesday and returning on the Sunday of that week.
However, I forgot Pastor Prince's Grace Revolution Tour was taking place in Dallas during the same weekend. Because I was trying to keep the trip a secret, my wife didn't know to remind me either! But when I told her my plan three weeks early, she quickly pointed out my oversight and I rescheduled the trip for springtime. I was disappointed at that time about not getting to go on the trip.
We now know that the terrorist attack in Paris started on the afternoon of the Friday I'd planned for us to be there. Had we gone to Paris as I had originally planned, we would have been there during the attack.
Pastor Prince had been preaching on divine protection quite a bit, especially over the year before. We had been hearing from Pastor Prince not to take our protection for granted, and had started sharing with our boys about how we are protected by our Father. We had begun praying with them to thank the Lord for His protection over our lives. We both felt that we had experienced God's “right place, right time” protection.
I'm not sure how close we would have been to the horrible terror attacks had we gone on the trip, but I do know that God's grace kept us thousands of miles out of harm's way. We were protected, enjoying that time with our family, singing praises to God with the church's worship team, and learning more about grace from Pastor Prince in Dallas!
Do you see, dear reader, how we can learn about and be led to walk in God's divine protection over our lives when we take His Word seriously and are planted in a local church? In every way our lives and our marriages will be preserved, protected, and flourishing.
Today's Prayer
Father, thank You that You have the power and the know-how to keep me away from all that would harm me. Thank You for leading me to a local church where I can be equipped with Your Word and grow in Your grace. Help me to always experience Your right place, right time protection. Amen.
Today's Thought
As I keep hearing preaching on and see myself under the Father’s protection, my life, family, career, and ministry cannot help but be preserved, protected, and full of good fruit.
Please remember to share this daily devotion with your friends, and if anyone wants to receive ‘Grace for Today’ directly then please just sign up via our website at www.exchangechurchbelfast.com
Prince, Joseph. The Prayer of Protection Devotional: Daily Strategies for Living Fearlessly In Dangerous Times.