Tag: Protection

Ready for Takeoff

I believe we still see God working in our world today when He provides for our needs, answers our prayers, changes our lives and protects us from harm. The Bible records some specific examples in the book of Ezra in chapters 7-8 and I think we still see Him doing this today.

We had a memorable experience getting off the ground flying from Los Angeles to Maui. Our seats were near one of the bulk heads in the economy section so a flight attendant was sitting in a jump seat facing us. As we settled in for takeoff one of the flight attendants reviewed the safety features of the aircraft. When we turned on to the main runway the pilot announced that we were cleared for takeoff.  

At LAX planes usually take off to the west over the ocean. We could feel the plane picking up speed as it raced down the runway. Suddenly the plane began to shake violently and shudder to a stop near the end of the runway. A few more seconds and we would have been swimming in Santa Monica Bay.

I looked at the flight attendant sitting in the jump seat facing us and could see she was alarmed. I asked her how often this had happened in her career. Her reply was brief – never. In all the years she had flown she had never experienced the plane aborting takeoff as it raced down the runway.

The pilot came on the intercom and explained that the computer sensed that we did not have enough speed to take off and it shut down the engines before it was too late. One of the two engines did not have the required amount of power to get us off the ground. The pilot was reassuring. He told us that we would be towed to a remote part of the airport so they could test the engines. While we sat on the plane they tested one engine and then tested the other. The pilot told us that one of the engines was underperforming and we needed to go back to the gate and wait for another plane to take us to Maui.

The next flight did not have room for all of us so they offered a $1000 voucher for a future flight, a hotel room and meals for people who were willing to wait for a flight the next day. My wife and I volunteered. We believe that God protected us and the other passengers and crew from serious harm or death. We were thankful to be alive and glad to receive the travel vouchers too. It was a takeoff we still remember to this day! Let me encourage you to watch for examples of God working in your life each day. You will be glad you did and He will too.

You can read 365 more stories by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. You can purchase two books for only $30 plus postage ($5). Order a copy for yourself and one to give to a friend this holiday season. They will be glad you did and you will too! Order your books at markh@efreedb.org.

How Do We Know?

Often people ask – How do we know there is a God? How do we know if He is really involved in our lives today? There are some excellent examples in the Bible in the book of Ezra where the author wrote, “The hand of our God was on us” (7:28 / 8:18 / 8:22 / 8:31). I believe we still see His hand in our lives today.

One way we see God at work today is through answers to prayer. Ezra prayed that the King would allow the Jewish people to return home and the King granted his request (Ezra 7). I believe we have seen similar evidence of God working today. When our church sought permission to put up portable classrooms and expand our parking lot in the face of neighborhood opposition, we prayed and the city gave its approval.

Another way we still see God at work today is His protection. Ezra declined the King’s offer to provide an armed escort for their journey back to Israel. He believed God would protect them from robbers and enemies (Ezra 8). They arrived safely in Jerusalem without any loss of people or valuable possessions. I believe we experience God’s protection today in similar ways including potential injuries and illnesses.

A third way we see God at work is when He provides for our needs. Ezra was amazed by how the King and other leaders provided money and materials to help rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 6-7). My wife and I have seen many examples of how God has provided for our needs. One example was the time when an anonymous gift paid the remaining balance of the hospital bill when our son was born many years ago.

Another way we still see God at work is through changed people. He loves to transform people’s lives. God changed hearts of the Jewish exiles from fear to faith as they left the safety of Babylon and journeyed to uncertainty in Jerusalem (Ezra 8). God continues to transform people today. The life of Louis Zamperini is recorded in the book and movie – Unbroken. God changed him from a bitter, hardened POW and alcoholic to a forgiving, loving husband, father and pastor. I believe God is still transforming people today. Let me encourage you to read the book of Ezra in the Bible. See how God answered prayer, protected, provided and changed people’s lives. And watch for examples of how God is at work in your own life too. You will be glad you did!

You can read more stories and articles by Mark Hopper in his book Let Me Encourage You – 365 encouraging stories and articles – one for every day of the year. You can purchase a book for yourself or as a gift for a friend. The price is $25 and includes postage. Order your copy today at markh@efreedb.org.