Daily Manna – February 17, 2016
Topic: Resist the devil
Scripture: And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. (Matt 14:32)
Note: Troubled Peter had a near-death escape. Gripped with fear and sinking gradually to the bottom of the sea, he cried out to Jesus saying, “Lord save me.” Fortunately for Peter, Jesus as always, is nearer and closer to us than we think or imagine. The Lord immediately stretched forth his hand in response to the desperate cry of Peter and caught him into safety.
We can all identify with Peter’s unfortunate experience of a near-death situation. I remember driving from Accra to Agogo in the Ashanti Region on vacation in 1994. On the Nsawam to Suhum stretch, I’d indicated by my traffic indicator light that I intend to overtake. There were two vehicles ahead of me; a slow moving truck followed by a Toyota Hiace Minibus. Unfortunately for me, the Toyota Minibus took off into my overtaking lane without any indication and without looking behind to verify if there was a vehicle trying to overtake. I’d to react immediately to avoid hitting the rear end of the Toyota Minibus. Applying the brakes wasn’t possible, because the distance between us was too close and I was moving at a faster pace since I’d already started overtaking. The only option was to move to the side road which was expectedly untarred. The combination of speed and the rough patch of that road resulted in a skid that was impossible to control. Thankfully, my car hit the bank of the side road, overturned, with our front side now facing the direction of Nsawam. The result, a badly damaged vehicle with a twisted lower shaft. Both of us escaped unhurt.
The driver of the offending vehicle didn’t even bother to stop to find out the outcome of the mess he had caused. He ran away, as is common in Ghana. The indigenes of the area who witnessed the accident were shocked that both of us escaped unhurt. They confessed to frequent accidents on that stretch of the road with accompanying fatalities, giving them the freedom to loot the personal belongings of such affected victims.
Unfortunately for the people, we were different. We had Jesus, and we called upon him during that desperate split second moment. He heard us and provided the needed help at the right moment.
With the help of local mechanics, we got the shaft straightened, and with only one head lamp working and with no spare tyre, we drove to Agogo in the night, reaching our destination around 10pm. We were determined to defy the enemy and not return to Accra to repair the vehicle. We had total repair works done in Agogo, and only did the spraying in Accra, after our return from vacation.
Food for thought: Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Declaration: No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17)
© Author: Rev Fred Aboe
