Psalm 136: 1, Psalm 136: 23-26

Sean Smith

The storybooks tell us of a little baby born to a mother called Margaret. He was the youngest of four children; there was nothing particularly special about the boy, although he did sleep a lot! His mother didn't recognise his cries whilst in the hospital and the nurses had to come and get her so she could feed him.

He had a fairly normal upbringing, went to the local Sunday school, spent his collection money in the shop near the church, he did all the normal things that little boys get up to.

When he was 9 a local church started a youth club in his primary school so his brothers and sister started to go there. One evening whilst at the club he won a singing contest (he sang, "God's not dead, no! He is alive" for those who remember it) for which he won a prize, and the honour of singing the song in front of the whole church the following Sunday.

Over the next few years he made several good friends at the church so he continued to attend the Sunday evening services (they always served biscuits or cake after the service!).

At the age of 11 he got a paper round which he did everyday for the next four years. One of the other lads from the paper shop, who was older than him used to sniff lighter fuel gas for fun and encouraged the boy to join in. This went on for about 1 year and whilst this was going on the boy was still attending church, doing all the normal church stuff whilst still sniffing gas.

The older friend started to take other drugs, but the boy hadn't yet, despite all the efforts of his friend and now at the age of 14 the boy went away with his friends from church to a Christian youth camp.

At this camp God spoke into the boys life and did some tremendous things, but the boy didn't do anything with what God had done with him (this one action or lack of action affected the rest of his life).

When he got home he started to take the drugs that the older lad offered. He then went on to do other drugs getting into crime to feed his habit. He dropped out of school so that he could break into houses to feed his addiction. Then after years of being in and out of prison he died without ever knowing what love really was, without ever having the joy of a child calling him "daddy" and giving him a hug, and without ever knowing God!

Psalm 136: 1
'Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever.'

Psalm 136: 23-26
'to the One who remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. And freed us from our enemies, His love endures forever. And who gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

For those who hadn't guessed that boy was me. But the big difference is that at that camp, I decided that I wanted to let God have my life and to use me in whatever way He chose.

I don't know what would have happened to me if I hadn't chosen to live my life with God, but I know one thing it wouldn't be as good as it is now.

Today take a few moments to thank God for His forgiveness of our past for saving us from a future without Him and without Hope.

Psalm 136: 1
'Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever.'