A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers     

2 Timothy 4:18, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  It still amazes me how we can sometimes get ourselves into predicaments.  A preacher buddy of mine was in the middle of delivering a rousing revival sermon when he happened to glance out into the congregation and notice his wife making a zipping motion with her fingers across her tightly closed lips.  Instantly he thought that he was preaching too long and she was politely telling him to conclude his sermon.  However, overwhelmed by inspiration, he vocalized, “I know I’m probably preaching too long, but I just can’t help it.  The Lord has more he wants me to say!”  As he continued preaching, though, his wife continued to make the gesture.  Finally, it dawned on him that something else was awry.  He glanced down to see what the real issue had been all along.  His pants were unzipped.  He thought to himself, that he would gracefully move behind the pulpit, then, without missing a beat from his preaching rhythm, duck down, zip up his pants, and thenenthusiastically emerge from behind the pulpit, not missing a beat.  As he ducked down, though, and zipped his pants, his recovery did not go as smooth as he thought.  After attempting to rise back to a standing position he realized that he had zipped up his tie in his pants.  Furthermore, in the process, his tie now restricted had tightened like a noose around his neck.  What a predicament!  Falling backwards in a fetal position, the sermon was over. Whether the predicaments we find ourselves in are as comical as my preacher friend or much more serious, we have the assurance that no matter our plight, the Lord can provide deliverance.  Today, you may be in dire straits, perhaps of unfortunate choices you have made.  There is a way out.  In spite of ourselves, God can extend to us a clear path out of the most ominous circumstances and grant us the liberty that His grace affords, with this and each new day.