Action Pattern For A Crossover People

She began to review life and wonder why, and at the same time, be thankful for what God had already provided. Then the panic attack came. Would the surgery leave her paralyzed, blind, or even dead? All were possible. There were long talks with her husband far into the night – there was inability to sleep--it was real--it was happening and it was happening to her!

On one of those sleepless nights she walked downstairs, picked up her Bible, looked at a red ribbon imprinted with suggested topics: sorrow, worry, loneliness, courage – and picked courage. The passage was Joshua 1:9, and the words jumped out at her: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord Your God will be with you wherever you go.” Tearing a piece of paper from a note pad, she copied the verse and clasped it in her hand. The sense of panic then drained away.

The piece of paper remained with her during the days leading up to the day of the surgery. Surgery day found her with no fear of the surgery or the future.

The piece of paper remained in her right hand as she was moved into the operating room. The final exam by the attending nurses revealed the paper. The piece of paper with the verse had served its purpose. She told the nurse to throw it away. But in her beautiful wisdom, the nurse responded, “I have to take it now; but when you wake up, you will find it taped to your palm.”

Twenty-six hours later two smiling nurses appeared. “Did you find your verse?” Slowly she opened her fist. The tattered scrap was secured with surgical tape.

Reading it would not be possible for a long time, but the words are etched forever in her memory, “for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Only He can give us the courage to face life and death. Let us be moved to call upon His power and promises daily as we trust God with the outcome.

Conclusion

Just as God brought the Israelites into the Promised Land, making them a crossover people, so too, He has called us out of the darkness of the world to live lives full of victory, crossing over the flooded streams of this life.

As we consecrate ourselves to following and trusting in Him alone, He will lead us through the paths of this life’s journey. He already knows the way. We don’t have to be afraid of what may come around the corner because if we are following Him, we can trust Him with the outcome.

Psalms 20:1-9, “May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!” (NIV)

Amen.