Look What the Lord Has Done

 "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." — Psalm 103:2 (KJV)

As I sit and reflect upon seventy-eight years of life, I cannot help but say, "Look what the Lord has done."

I was not born into wealth. I did not possess great influence or power. I have simply been a country preacher who trusted the Lord one day at a time. When I look back over the road God has led me down, I see His hand at every turn.

As a young man, the Lord called me into His service. In August of 1967, I surrendered my life to His call. I did not know where that journey would lead, but God knew. He opened doors that no man could open and closed doors that no man could close.

He allowed me to serve as a missionary. He gave me a burden for the American Indian people and opened the door for ministry on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. He allowed me to be a pastor, evangelist, Bible teacher, songwriter, educator, and writer. Looking back now, I realize that none of those opportunities came because of my abilities. They came because of God's grace.

The Lord blessed me with a faithful wife, Laverna, to walk beside me through the seasons of life. Together we have shared joys and sorrows, victories and disappointments, mountaintops and valleys. Through it all, God has been faithful.

For more than forty years He allowed me to pastor Sugar Plain Friends Church. What an honor it has been to preach the Gospel, teach believers, dedicate children, perform weddings, comfort grieving families, and point souls to Jesus Christ. There is no greater privilege than serving the King of Kings.

The Lord also blessed me with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When I see the faces of Eleanor, Evelyn, and Lucia and the generations that follow behind me, I am reminded that God's blessings extend far beyond one lifetime.

There have been difficult days along the way.

There were financial struggles.

There were disappointments.

There were times when the future seemed uncertain.

There were health challenges that I never expected to face.

Today, at seventy-eight years of age, I have known kidney disease, diabetes, heart problems, surgeries, Parkinson's disease, cancer concerns, and more doctors than I can count. There have been days when the body was weak and the road seemed long.

Yet here I am.

Still preaching.

Still writing.

Still singing.

Still trusting.

Still serving.

The same God who watched over me as a young preacher watches over me today.

When I was healthy, He was faithful.

When I was sick, He was faithful.

When I was strong, He was faithful.

When I was weak, He was faithful.

The Psalmist said:

"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." — Psalm 37:25 (KJV)

That verse has proven true in my life.

I am not saying that serving God guarantees an easy life. The Bible never promises that. Christians face trials, losses, sickness, and sorrow just like everyone else. But God promises to walk with us through every valley.

Looking back over seventy-eight years, I can testify that He has never abandoned me.

Not once.

There were times when I did not understand His plan.

There were times when my prayers were not answered the way I hoped.

There were times when I wondered what God was doing.

But now, looking through the rearview mirror of life, I can see that He was working all along.

Friend, the same God who has watched over me can watch over you.

The same Savior who forgave my sins can forgive yours.

The same Lord who carried me through every trial can carry you.

The same grace that sustained me for seventy-eight years is available to every person who will trust in Jesus Christ.

If God can take a country boy from Indiana, call him into ministry, protect him through countless dangers, provide for his needs, bless him with a family, sustain him through sickness, and keep him faithful all these years, then surely He can take care of you.

The greatest blessing of my life is not the churches I have served, the degrees I earned, the songs I have written, or the books I have published.

The greatest blessing is that I know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

And because I know Him, I know that when my journey is finished, I will not cross the river alone.

The One who walked with me through life will walk with me through death.

And on the other side, I shall see the King.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." — Psalm 23:6 (KJV)

To God be the glory for all He has done.