A few years ago, my family moved into a larger home and unlike our previous home, this one's yard is completely fenced. My oldest son immediately saw his opportunity to pursue a desire he had for many years. He wanted us to get a dog.
Now, he didn't just want any dog. He wanted a boxer, which we knew were quite expensive. Even though money was tight, I told him to look around and see what he could find. He came back with a few prospects, each no less than $500. I saw the light of hope dissolve from his eyes as I told him he would have to wait until we saved up for it.
Later, while we were still unpacking, we were discussing something that had happened in the news - I can't remember specifically but I'm sure it was some tragic story of some chaos taking place, as usual. My son said to me, "Do you ever feel like God gave up on people? I mean, would you blame Him? Look what's going on in the world!"
While it seems logical from mankind's perspective, to turn our back on those who reject or offend us, but God (YHWH) doesn't give up on us that easily. As long as we live, we have the option to repent (change our minds about our sin) and turn back to him. Through the cleansing blood of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, Yahshua Messiah, and the acceptance of it, we are redeemed. It is our only hope. Without it, we have only death and destruction to anticipate. The last thing I want is my son to feel that way!
"No, honey! God's word does not change. He is still with us!", I assured him. It hurt to think he felt that way, like God gave up on us. I asked Yahweh to give him some reassurance.
Guess what happened next! Someone who worked with my fiancé in a very large facility with hundreds of employees, approached him and asked a question. Can you guess what it was?
"Do you know anyone who wants a dog?", was what he asked. He had adopted the dog from a soldier who was deployed to the Middle East somewhere, and it wasn't working out real well, leaving him no choice but to find a new owner for her.
Now I don't know about you, but it's not often someone offers you a free dog. Plus, the odds of someone offering a free dog right after my son asked for one is even more of a "coincidence". But that's not the most amazing part. What kind of dog was it?
You guessed it - a pure bred boxer! What are the chances of that? Well, there are about 340 breeds of dogs in the world today. That mean there was less than 1% chance (0.3%, actually) that the dog would be a boxer. Granted, the boxer is the 9th most popular dog breed in the United States, according to statistics, there are twice as many Chihuahuas as there are Boxers. (Source: StaticBrain.com) And then there's the chance she could have been a boxer mixed with another breed, but NO - she is 100% boxer.
Of course we jumped right on it and she came home like she had known us for years and missed us all so much. She immediately recognized my son as her master. She has always obeyed him right from the start. We named her Holly - not like Holly Hobbie, like Holly-lu-yah or "Halleluyah", which means "PRAISE BE TO YAHWEH". She's a perfectly beautiful, healthy dog, as you can see in the photo above.
My son got his boxer, but more importantly, he got his confirmation. Yahweh, the one and only TRUE GOD is still watching. He is still listening. And he does still care - even about such trivial things as pets!
How great is our God? We haven't even scratched the surface! Get to know Him. He loves YOU!
For the eyes of יהוה diligently search throughout all the earth, to show Himself to be strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect to Him.
(2 Chronicles 16:9) The Scriptures 2009
With the lovingly-committed ones You show Yourself lovingly-committed, With the perfect one You show Yourself perfect, With the clean You show Yourself clean, And with the crooked You show Yourself twisted. For You save the humble people, But Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. For You are my lamp, O יהוה, And יהוה makes my darkness light.
(2 Samuel 22:26-29) The Scriptures 2009
Do you have a testimony you would like to share? I'd love to hear it! Enter it in the comments below. Prayer requests are also welcome.