The Song Of The Redeemed Series

Bryan Stephenson is author of Just Mercy and founder of an organization that tries to help those unjustly convicted of crimes. He was trying to free a man who was clearly innocent, because about a dozen people had seen him when he allegedly committed the crime. However, none of his alibies were allowed in the courtroom because they were black. So Stephenson complained to the judge, who reluctantly allowed Stephenson to admit a few of the eyewitnesses.

He chose Mrs. Williams, an older black woman, to represent this group. But there was another big problem: a huge German shepherd stood guard outside the courtroom. When Mrs. Williams, who was deathly afraid of dogs, saw the dog she froze and then her body began to shake. Tears started running down her face before she turned around and ran out of the courtroom.

Later she said, “Mr. Stevenson, I feel so badly. I let you down today. I was meant to be in that courtroom. I should have been in that courtroom.” And she started to cry. She told Mr. Stevenson, “I wanted to be in there so bad. But when I saw that dog all I could think about was Selma, Alabama 1965. I remember how they beat us, and I remember the dogs. I wanted to move and I tried to move but I just couldn't do it.” Then she walked away with tears running down her face.

The next day her sister told Stevenson that Mrs. Williams didn't eat or talk to anybody all night. They just heard her praying all night long the same prayer: “Lord, I can't be scared of no dog. Lord, I can't be scared of no dog.” The next morning, she walked up to Stevenson and said, “I ain't scared of no dog. I ain't scared of no dog” and then she walked right past that huge German shepherd into the courtroom.

The courtroom was packed when the judge walked in and everybody rose and sat down—except Mrs. Williams. She told the entire courtroom in a loud, firm voice: “I'm here!” And her testimony turned the tide for the whole case (Lauren Spohrer, Phoebe Judge, and Eric Mennel, “Just Mercy, Episode 45,” Criminal Podcast, 6-17-16; www.PreachingToday.com).

God delivered her from all her fears, and He will do the same for you if you look to Him.

If you want to be truly free, 1st, rely on God’s surpassing power, 2nd, recognize God’s splendid holiness, and 3rd, follow God’s sovereign guidance. Then you will experience God’s glorious triumph. Then you will have something to sing about!

Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.