“I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3 (NLT)
The vast Sahara stretched before me as far as the eyes could see. I began to wonder if the African pastors with me truly knew where the village was. Believe me when I tell you that walking in dry, shifting sand is not an easy task. We had left our taxi on a solid road and began what to me seemed like a tortuous five mile trek into the desert. Finally, we came to the village which seemed to have suddenly sprung up out of the arid landscape.
I had come to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) to assist the National Administrative Bishop in our church’s registration process with the DRC government. The bureaucratic process moved even more slowly there than in the US. However, while this registration snail was proceeding, we visited several congregations, preached, and baptized many converts. So, enroute to one congregation, I was blessed to trek in a portion of the Sahara Desert.
After a great worship and baptismal service (yes, we found a small stream in the desert), our party of five began the return hike across the sand to where our taxi was supposed to meet us. Because of the length of the combined worship service and baptism, the afternoon sun set before we arrived at the taxi and we were without light. About two miles before the taxi, we came into a village. Suddenly, the significance of my situation frightened me. I was the only Caucasian within a huge radius of miles. All I could hear were voices in a language that I did not understand and all I could see were white orbs in the dark. I grew more and more disturbed as we continued through the heart of this crowd of eyes. So, I asked my preacher friends and escorts to let me walk in the middle of our group. They immediately recognized my fears and surrounded me. Then they began ragging me about it because they knew there was no real danger to me. There were so few of us that no one could have saved me from any real danger anyway.
This experience made me realize that in his kingdom I am always safe. Because all of the Sahara, all of Africa, and indeed all the world are held in the hands of God. Yes, that includes my life and ministry. So I said a prayer and laughed at my humanity.
Dear Father, thank you for your kingdom and the safety it provides. You are my shield and my salvation. You are worthy of all praise. Keep us all in your tender care. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN
Be encouraged today in the salvation of God,