“‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live.”

Numbers 33:55

Through life, this occasion in the history of the Children of Israel has a special meaning for me.

I was converted, saved by the Lord, when I was 16 years old, at the time in my life when huge swells were happening in me that had me churning.  I was raised to be a good Christian lad, but I had no good idea what that meant.  I was, in many ways, lost!  The most consequential loss was not really knowing about Jesus’ invitation to follow Him.

As I rethink those days, I believe that God was preparing me for something!  I had no big ideas, just a feeling of bewilderment.  Then on October 10, when I was a high school senior at Eastern Mennonite School, I could hold out no longer but surrender my life to God, without knowing a fraction of what that decision would produce for me and for many others then and in the days ahead.

One thing stands out in my mind, I determined to live like Jesus if that is possible.  I would not allow the barbs and thorns of the enemy of my soul to trick me into unbelief!  That was an amazing almost 70 years ago!  Can it be??  I still believe that now!  Thank you, Jesus!  You won the battles for me and I know you will continue to do so until I praise you in glory.

These are my thoughts for the last day of January 2019.  My soul is at rest.