A Promise and a Name

As long as you possess God’s promise and his Name … you are safe!

When I eulogized my good friend Bill Lichty several weeks ago, I didn’t tell a very important part of his personal story. Let me give it to you now.

Bill was the son of missionaries to East Africa. He was residing safely in his mother’s womb when World War II necessitated his family leaving the continent immediately. Bill’s dad checked with American military personnel and met a Colonel and he instructed them to get to the west side of the continent to a base there and possibly exit from there.

There were several problems however. They had no papers to get through the various checkpoints and national borders. Bill’s mom was quite sick. And third … it’s a big continent from side to side.

Bill’s dad knew that God was his only hope of getting home safely. He met Colonel Colby who arranged for the family to get to Accra, Ghana and told them he would meet them there and secure travel back to the states. “Whenever you are stopped and told to turn around tell them that you are meeting Colonel Colby in Accra and that he is waiting for you.”

So off they went. Whenever stopped they would say that Colonel Colby was expecting them in Accra. And it worked! A week after leaving their mission station they arrived at their destination. Bill was born shortly after they got back to the States.

Ever been told to do something or go somewhere and you didn’t have enough information or clout to get you there? Ever faced some circumstance that threatened the journey God had you on and you didn’t have the right ‘papers?’

When Moses was given the task of leading Israel out of bondage in Egypt and move toward the Promised Land, he didn’t know what to say if they asked him who had sent him.  God said “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14 ESV

They used God’s name throughout the journey through the wilderness. God’s Name was all that was needed.

If you don’t have a clue, don’t panic …you have the name of the Lord (Proverbs 18:10). It’s a strong tower. Grab on to Psalm 20:7-8 (ESV) as you travel: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.”

Acts 4:12 declares that our salvation can only be found in the Lord. Believe it and head out confidently.

 

 

 

 

Tags: , , ,

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply