He Knows – You Can Trust Him

I first posted this story in 2015. What’s interesting about this post is that I don’t remember Joseph. I’m embarrassed about that, especially when you read on. It was a divine appointment for me that day. God sent a messenger to speak to my heart. It is a reminder to me today that He is listening and I can trust HIM. The promise and message I heard that day were to press on and start hosting Refresh Retreats, and to walk by faith in the ministry He has called me. And here we are ten years later… 

Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.”  John 12:44

I power walk almost every morning on our lakefront, where I live.  I put my ear buds in and I worship for 3.5 miles.  Most mornings, I see a man standing at the water’s edge with his arms uplifted, his Bible resting on the railing.  The moment I first saw him, I was drawn to his abandoned worship of our Lord.  I have watched him for weeks.  His authentic worship makes me smile.  The other day, as I passed him, he had moved from the edge of the water to sitting in a Gazebo.  I heard myself call out, “Pray for me today.”  He called out, “What’s your name?”  I replied, “Diane.”  That was it.  I was surprised by my words, but I instantly knew that the Holy Spirit had directed me. 

The weekend came and went, and I found myself once again speed walking the lakefront while praising my Lord, and there he was.  This particular morning, standing toward the rising sun, he is looking at me with a steady gaze.  I paused my music, and he called out, “Are you Diane?” “Yes,” I answered. “That’s my wife’s name. I pray for Diane every day,” He stated.   He introduced himself as Joseph and explained that he had asked the Lord to bring me past him this particular morning.  He wanted to pray for me in person.  He asked if I had any specific prayer requests.  I responded with a general request, and he reached out his hand for mine. Then, he bowed his head and began to pray.  In that moment, I heard the Father’s heart for me.  He prayed so specifically that if I had not known better, I would have thought I had shared very intimate details about my life with this man.  I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “I know, Diane.” “I know where you are.”  “You can trust me.”  “Walk forward in faith.”  

When Joseph finished praying, I looked up and said, “You have no idea how on target you were today.”  His answer surprised me even more: “I held back what God was completely showing me for fear that I would frighten you.”  I answered in earnest, “Please tell me everything the Spirit spoke to you.”  He did.  I am astounded. 

Why am I astounded? I continue to reflect on that morning prayer time.  There is absolutely no way that this man could have known the details that he prayed.  When something like this occurs, do you and I  stand in some disbelief because we struggle with believing that our God, the creator of this universe, would be mindful of us?  Is it that we have allowed unbelief to creep in and to rob us of knowing him this intimately?  Or is it that we are too busy, and the details of this life/ministry work have pushed back the supernatural, so we live only within the frame of what we can see, touch, and manage? 

That day, I was astounded but reminded that God knows us better than we know ourselves.  We cannot escape His presence.  Before we speak a word, He knows the word(s) coming out of my lips.  He knows me.  He knows You.  We are His.

We can trust HIM…when our dreams are shattered.

We can trust HIM…when we haven’t won the battle.

We can trust Him…when life is at its worst or at its best.  

We can trust HIM…when the water is not parted and we can’t walk through.

We can trust HIM…when heaven seems silent.

We can trust HIM. He will carry us through!

He is always working things together for our good and His glory!  Working it all together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose!

The day Joseph prayed with me, I was listening to the song below.  As we close, click on the pic and be blessed! 

I am praying these verses for you today. Lord, help my sisters, trust in your unfailing love. May she rejoice, knowing your rescue is coming. May remember that your Word is true and she can trust you because you see her every step. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But I trust in your unfailing love.  I will rejoice because you have rescued me.” Psalms 13:5  

“For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.” Psalms 33:4