Monday, 8 August 2011

In the valley of shadows week 32, 2011

My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge Psa 71:15(ESV). There were 6 of them standing by the side of the road. With lots of amulets around them and long guns pointed straight at the car, they looked like herdsmen as they moved steadily towards me with pointed guns I was sure were ready to fire. They had selected the location of this ambush well. It was uphill by a curve; you couldn’t see them as you come, and since it was uphill the car slowed down as we got to them. I knew I had money in the vehicle, lots of it. Apart from a few bits here and there, there was N100, 000 I had picked up from a client which was right there in the car with me. When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles Psa 34:17(ESV).
There was a bus behind me so all thoughts of suddenly reversing and running away was futile. I could have fought with them; shouted at them. I am a man. But with no gun and in the cold reality of 6 guns pointed in my direction I thought the better of it and meekly submitted to the robbery.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, O LORD! Psa 143:5-7(ESV). Not long ago we had been in the village and by 3am my pregnant wife ruptured her membranes. We had to get into the car and head back to Enugu. God granted safe delivery and we now have a bouncing baby boy. Moreover I had this swelling on my wrist which had bothered me for a while. It was diagnosed a ganglion. One day I spoke to it and commanded it to be uprooted from its roots. Without surgery the swelling disappeared. As you can see it has not reoccurred. Now I was faced with armed robbers.
It seemed they realised they were missing something. “Where is the money?” they asked repeatedly. “Haven’t you taken it all?” I retorted each time. Yet despite coming again and again to where the N100, 000 was kept it was not discovered, it was not taken. Other items were collected however. They were not through with me yet. I was ordered out of the car to follow them. It was getting dark now. It was well after 6pm and I was compelled to enter the valley with them. They kept asking me for money I wondered if I would be killed or a ransom demanded for my freedom. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me Psa 23:4(ESV). We went down and down until I could no longer see the road, just the skies. Suddenly 3 of them moved off and one approached me. He felt my pockets; they were empty. Then he asked me to go away. Praise the LORD!
Bro Jude is a lawyer in private practice in Enugu

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