An On The Journey Devotional
From The Bible: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 TPT
Our past does not define or condemn us, friends. We have been flooded by grace and washed by mercy through Jesus.
This last week I have been amazed at how many times the Lord has brought someone’s testimony before me. From hearing testimonies shared at outreach events, to conversations one on one with people, and even friends sending their testimony by a messaging app. You cannot hear testimony and not be moved.
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.” Psalm 66:16 ESV
When my daughter was nearing the end of her battle with a genetic condition I was stretched in what I truly believed about the Lord and my trust in His ways. This sweet 8 year old was looking to me for her confidence and to lead the way. I sensed the Lord preparing my heart that her healing might not come in the way we hoped, and that He would use her life in a different way. He used her life to radiate His love to people and her passing to demonstrate trust in His promises. God was present and active every step of the way.
When friends came and we sang worship songs around her bed, God was there. When people prayed over her and she got this heavenly glow on her face, God was moving. When God told me to call a man from our church to see her, God was doing something through their friendship to minister to that man and it needed to be completed. There then came that, it is finished moment, where she had completed what God had called her to do and there was peace. When she entered into the presence of Jesus and the chorus God is so Good was ringing in my heart God was drawing near to me and washing me in His love. When God used me to speak her testimony and share the Gospel at her funeral, He was giving me all that I needed for the day. When the grief consumed me in the months later God was patient with me and carried me until I could receive His healing.
Now, 8 years later, I know that all the lessons I learned from my short years as her adoptive mother, the way the Lord used her to minister to so many, the way God revealed himself to me through months sitting beside a hospital bed, those lessons have helped me know Him in a way that I never could have without her. I want to share with the world how God broke through what could have been the darkest time in my life yet He made it the most rich and beautiful season, He delivered me from grief and feeling lost and gave me a hope and joy that can only come from Him. The trust I learned in that season played a key part in me being part of ATC today, I can proclaim my testimony and the goodness of God.
God is with us in the midst of whatever challenge or temptation we are facing today. God’s Word is truth and trustworthy. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we have hope beyond this life, and because of Him death is not our end. There is reason to hope!
“So, go ahead – let everyone know it! Tell the world how he broke through and delivered you from the power of darkness and has gathered us together from all over the world.” Psalm 107:2 TPT
Dawn Berry
Executive Assistant
