Encouragement from Psalms (Part 1)

Our world is in turmoil and distress. Millions of people are in distress. I want to give you a word of comfort from Psalms.

When I was in prison for Bible smuggling, I was not allowed to read my Bible. Months after my sentence, I was able to 'smuggle' it into my cell. I was desperate to read God's Word. After nine months without it, where would I start to read? After a few moments I decided to start with David in the Psalms, not normally my favourite book, I prefer the action movie bits. Soon I came to Psalm 35.18 where David says, ‘I will give God thanks in the great congregation.’ Instantly I knew, this was God’s written confirmation of my night vision, that I would be out of the prison and speaking in the Easter Convention in the Royal Albert Hall in London – it had to be, that was the only really big convention I knew. My heart was full of joy at the thought. Then, just a few days later, cheekily I realised that my birthday came four days before Easter that next year. So I began to pray, if You Lord can work such a big miracle that I can go home after only one year, why not send me home on my birthday?

Boldy I prayed, Lord if You will give me my request to be home for my birthday, then show me another verse from the Psalms where You speak of a prisoner being released from chains. I read on anxiously – until I came to Psalm 68.6, God sets the solitary in families; He brings out the prisoner in chains. I could hardly contain my joy! Home for my birthday! God had confirmed it in writing.