Jesus Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You
Today as I was prayer-walking to the park, I asked the Lord to give me another divine appointment. I was able to talk and share with one young man Matthew* again. We talked about his pain and past sin. We talked about how he felt stuck, even though he is only 20 years old. We prayed together and agreed that I would begin to send him Scriptures every day. Yesterday I sent:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
As I came to the park, I saw the person that God was sending me to talk to today. His head was down with a cap on. As I walked by him he looked strong and defensive. I walked around the park 3 times praying for him and asking the Lord to show me how to begin the conversation.
I simply sat down next to him and we began to talk. His rough exterior soon melted to a man in a desperate situation. When he was 15 his life had crumpled after his grandmother who raised him in church died. He ended up in Dallas, with no real place to stay. His girl friend got pregnant and he decided to sell drugs to make money. It wasn’t long after that he was in jail serving time.
He got out of jail and got a job. Now 24 years old, working nights at Kroger, looking for a second job and paying child support after his girlfriend broke up with him. Now homeless, he has to meet with his parole officer today who may put him back into prison because he no longer has an address he is living at. His girlfriend took his car, so he even as to get a ride to talk to his parole officer.
The weight of the world seemed to rest on David’s* shoulders. We began to talk about Scriptures. He knew the word because his grandmother raised him in church and he would read it every day. This Scriptures came out of his mouth.
Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”
It was hard to walk away from David’s. We exchanged numbers and I promised to pray. (When I checked back in with him, he had found a ride).
As I walked back to my beautiful home, I contemplated the plight of the poor in North America. In many cities like Dallas, you have to have a car to go anywhere. You need a home address to get a good job. You need references and connections to open doors. My heart goes out to the young men who have made bad choices, and have suffered the consequences and have been beaten down by life situations and the enemies tormenting words in their own minds.
God, break out hearts for the plight of the poor.
Give me your compassion for those who have suffered loss
and had nowhere to turn.
Give me compassion for the drug dealers and thieves
just like you had on the Cross.
Change my heart from self-protection
to have a heart of BOLD GRACE.
“Here I am Lord,
Send me.”
SUE DETWEILER is a mother of six, author, speaker, and radio host with over 25 years of experience in leadership, ministry and education. Her book 9 Traits of a Life-Giving Mom is now available online and in book stores.
* Not the real names. Please use this story to pray for the plight of the homeless in North America.
…from self protection to bold Grace ! Good word
Hi Sue, the divine appointment caught my attention today. I am in ministry now also, and I find myself needing to slow down and pay attention, so that what God has set before me, I can see. Thanks! Kay Kurth
Once again, a beautiful post. How easy it is for one bad decision to snowball into a avalanche of trouble. Unfortunately we all make mistakes and mess up our lives. Thankfully God is there to help us deal with the consequences.. He holds out his hand to rescue us, all we need to do is reach up and take it. My heart goes out to that young man in the park. I wish him well.
I couldn’t agree more. When we feel most alone, that’s when he is closest by. Wonderful blog and message!