TwoCents | Gratitude - by Eved Ha-Shem

Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name (Psalm 96:3;8) The day started out quite normally for me. The odd thing in my routine, as I prepared for work, was I couldn’t shake off the songs in my head so I played some worship tunes on my phone and sang along. I glanced through the comments on one of the newer songs and it was littered with testimonies of God’s grace. The top comment was: “My wife is 8 months pregnant and as she was driving today, she got involved in a terrible head collision accident. Her car was pushed away 15 metres away while she was inside. I thank God she survived and the baby is okay. God is great.” Another one read: “I was diagnosed with leukemia in April of 2014 and i thought it was all over but here it is February 3 2024 and I'm still here thank you for the blood of JESUS Halleluyah.” On and on it went with overwhelming remarks of gratitude. Little did I know in just a few minutes, I would be facing a deliverance of my own. I was walking down to the station when I noticed the man walking towards me appeared to freeze in his steps and let out painful grunts, before falling face first on the ground. I wasn’t quite sure what to think and called emergency services as I approached him. When I got to him, I observed blood pouring from his nose and mouth (perhaps also from the cut he got when he fell), his body shaking uncontrollably with his limbs fixed in the same position they were as he fell. This was around 7:28 am and hardly anyone was around, till a man in a van pulled over not long after to check on the situation. I handed him the phone to provide more detailed coordinates of our location while I tried to get a response from him or at least keep him conscious by just speaking to him. I tried to put him in the recovery position, but his body was as stiff as solid steel. In the meantime, the volume of blood around his head had significantly increased and he seemed to be deteriorating badly. He began gasping for air - what seemed like agonal breathing - and was making gurgling sounds. Soon after, the movements and sounds stopped, and his eyes half-closed in a blank stare. I can’t express the dread and helplessness I felt at that moment. So, I put my hands on his back and prayed in words to this effect: Lord, we’re losing him, please don’t let him go. Death seemed such a cruel thing at that moment; for him to bear and for me to experience, especially as I was the first on the scene. But with my hands still on his back, praying, his breathing seemed to pick up, following a scattered pattern, as did the gasps and grunts. After a while it seemed that whatever was ailing him, had passed. What really happened? This all happened in about 10 minutes. The lady on the phone said the ambulance was eight minutes away when I called, but he was already sitting upright before they arrived, albeit very disoriented. I gathered from his interaction with the paramedics that he had a history of epilepsy but this was the first episode in a very long time. I had my eyes closed while praying for him, and the other man relayed to the paramedics that the man turned pale at one point. As to the severity of the event and the nature of his recovery, I have no idea, medically speaking. Why am I writing this? I did mention to the only other person who came around to help later on, how I began praying when the situation took a turn for the worse. I had hoped to speak with him at some point and tell him how I had prayed for him and am a follower of the Lord Jesus. However, between his confusion and the paramedics trying to get him to the hospital, I thought it best not to interrupt, especially as I had been given the all-clear and I had to go to work. But as I walked away, I couldn’t help but realise just how much God’s kindness had gone unnoticed. If He really just spared this man’s life, how easily and freely did He do it, not caring for praise or reward. The recipient of this great grace could not have been able to even comprehend in that moment the extent of the deliverance nor demonstrate gratitude commensurate to it, given the state he was in. Then, it dawned on me that God’s (the ultimate "Hero of the moment") acts of grace - like in orchestrating our paths that morning - are not contingent on the recognition and appreciation of men. Was it then about me? Far from it. Like Peter, I can honestly say: “why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” (Acts 3:12). But alas, not even so, for Peter is a far, far more noble and worthy man, for he only betrayed the Lord thrice. In truth, I know no man more unholy and vile like myself. Nonetheless, this much is true: I know in whom I have believed, nothing happens without His say so, He is love, and He hears prayers. To the only wise God our Saviour, worthy of glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever Thank you, Lord. You are good and worthy of praise ineffable, immeasurable. You go before, unseen, unheard, beyond the bounds of mortal comprehension, working, night and day, in love, doing wondrous things, covering, providing, and interceding for us, in spite of us. In spite of our nothingness, ingratitude, and helpless wretchedness and poverty toward You. What manner of love is this? That You would trade Your splendour and matchless glory for dust. Behold, Lord, what you have become for man! How could we ever repay? Behold, You have exchanged for us much more than we are worth, even Your very life and precious blood. What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him? Truly You are love and love indeed. Thank You for being mindful of me, Lord. Thank You for leading my path. Thank You for the recovery of this man and the privilege of being a neighbour to him. Thank You for not allowing my fears to come to pass. Thank You for everything You have done and will do for me, seen and unseen. Thank You particularly, Lord, for all You have done and will do in spite of me. Above all, Lord, thank you for commending Your love toward me, in that, while I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me. If you’re reading this and you know Him, please take a moment to worship and say thank you to the One worthy of all glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. If you don’t know God, know this: The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him. He also will hear their cry, and will save them (Psalm 145:18 & 19). Amen.

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