Forty Years

On August 25th,I will serve my last day in the military.  Over forty years ago, God graciously allowed me to enter West Point.  The military academy took a chance on me as I was a clear academic risk with a weak background in math and sciences.  Before I set foot on that military reservation in New York, I claimed Daniel 1:17. “God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom.  Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind.”  I figured if God could give my hero, the prophet Daniel, wisdom in how to thrive in Babylon, He could help me survive four years of tough courses. He did just that.  

After I graduated I completed Infantry Officer Basic Course and then Ranger School. Psalm 16:8 was the passage that encouraged me to survive two grueling months with my fellow ranger students.  “I keep the LORD in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”   My plan was not to have a career in the Army.  I intended to get out after serving the obligatory tour of five years on active duty and become a missionary.  But God had a much different strategy in mind.  He rerouted my path so that I ended up pastoring churches, launching and leading nonprofit organizations and continuing my affiliation with the Army Reserves.  Along the way, He gave me Kathleen and three children who love Him and who helped make the journey possible.  After fourteen years of service I tried to quit the Army.  God sent a high school classmate, Roger Lambert to challenge my foolish thinking and my resignation was never processed.  Twenty-two more years passed with God orchestrating my steps to increased responsibility in uniform. 
            
Meditation
Romans 8:31,32—What then are we to say about these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?
 
There were times along our journey when we did not know how we would pay our bills. We ate simple, meager portions and barely could afford to buy clothing. Coupons and “hand me downs” were treasured items. Yet, I am a witness that we never lacked.  God always provided for us to minister and to be ministered to by others.  He opened doors when we were at wits end.  He amazed us with provisions from completely unexpected sources.  He paid for me to go through seminary and He covered every medical bill when our oldest son Bryan, suffered a brain-stem tumor.  While the doctors pronounced his death sentence, the Bible said, “The LORD your God wins victory after victory and is always with you.  He celebrates and sings because of you, and He will refresh your life with His love” (CEV). In response to the prayers of many, the Lord God healed Bryan, blessed our family and ministry, blessed my career and gave us rich fruit. 

I testify to the truth that with God all things are possible.  We need not fear any adversary, threat, or problem.  Without Him we are lost.  In His Son, Jesus, we are blessed.  He is a perfect. loving Father.  Forty years is but a hiccup in eternity.  What is awesome is not what has passed but rather what will never end: perfect bodies in perfect fellowship in a perfect environment for God’s perpetual glory. Glory!  That is something to think about . . . in reveration!  
 
Inspiration
Our Lord’s words “Have faith in God” really mean “Have faith in the faithfulness of God, not in your own faithfulness.”—Hudson Taylor
 
©2017 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)