The Lord is an Iron Shield for those who hide behind Him
(Psalm 18:30)
Submitted by Owar Ojulu
I am bringing to you New Years’ greetings and a great news of a MIRACLE. I thought I could share this even if it wouldn’t make sense to others. It’s my story, a story of deliverance, and I would love to share it with you. In the 21 century, the world of scientific reality of logic, and media centered system, talking about Divine interventions and miraculous works of the almighty God may be alien to many and hard to believe.
On Friday December 28, 2019 at 2:49pm, I posted a picture with this Bible excerpt, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" 1 Peter 5:8. On the same day, I listened to a news story about an Ohio man who was declared dead by doctors but miraculously came back to life after his son’s prayer.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/ohio-man-declared-dead-back-life/story?id=20027401
These are few things I could remember that, now when I look back, were signaling something bigger to happen to me personally. As a living testimony and witness to such God’s intervention, I am here to tell you what the Lord has done in my life a few days ago. David once said,
For when the ropes of death wrapped around me
and terrifying torrents of destruction overwhelmed me,
taking me to death’s door, to doom’s domain,
I cried out to you in my distress, the delivering God,
and from your temple-throne you heard my troubled cry. (Psalm 18:4-6 TPT)
On Friday, December 28th around 9:00-9:15pm, “the snares of death confronted me” and I was led to “death’s door,” to the domain of doom (Ps. 18:5). Yet, the loving God, the Lord of victory, snatched and rescued me from death that night. It’s hard to believe and I am still amazed as I write at this moment.
Here is how it happened. Friday night, I decided to walk to a Walgreens store as I usually do when I exercise. Just wanted to grab something for my little one before I had to visit with a friend and before the store closed at 10 pm. It was snowing, and it was cold that night. I don’t even recall why I decided to walk to the store rather than drive. I should have taken the car, because it was freezing and windy. But I was lured! “The cords of the grave coiled around me,” (Psalm 18:5). It was already stronger than any decision I could have made. Yes, the spirit of death had lured me to the grave that evening.
I left our home and then came to the light. I stopped, waiting for the light and my right-of-way to crossover. I didn’t know and I don’t remember how I crossed the road. Death was near and the angel of death had overshadowed my presence. There was only one black car stopped to my left side that I can recall while waiting for the light. I saw cars from the turning light on Humiston Avenue, were turning toward Oxford Street going east (for those who are familiar with Worthington). I tried to cross to give way to the car that was turning south on 59. Suddenly,
I heard a loud and thick noise. I felt heavier while spinning. Then I was on the ground—it was a great and dangerous fall. I knew I was hit. But how, where, what etc.? I couldn’t remember, because I briefly passed out.
While I was trying to crawl away, I heard a voice of a lady from the other side of the road “Are you okay?” I was holding my jaw tight (first spot I felt hurt). She was a Samaritan indeed! My left jaw was hurt and a big cut on my lower lip locked my mouth. This lady, whose name I couldn’t remember, ran toward me and held my arms and walked me to her vehicle. While she was trying to get me to safety, the car that hit me fled away. None of us was able to record the plate number. I foolishly trusted my guts that they might stop, step out, and ask me of my injuries. But no, they escaped the scene.
However, as they were pulling to the side of the road before they fled, I saw two teenagers in the car with one on the passenger side wearing yellowish shirt. The Samaritan and Godsend lady was concerned about getting me to the ER, and only at the ER were the police notified. Two police officers came, and I gave any description I could remember. They went and looked at the CCTV cameras in the area, but told me none shows that far on the road where I was hit and there was no any record of the incident. The police are still searching for the escapees.
Yet, here is the good news and the reason I am convinced to share my story. Friends, God is now and always a secure shelter and an iron shield to those who love him and the ones he loves. I was spared by the heavenly Father. I was dead, but miraculously I am alive! For the last three days, I still wake up from my sleep, thinking that what had happened was a dream. But it’s real! I was rescued from the snare of the devil, I am alive and living for God.
With all X-rays and CT scans, there was no broken bone ever noticed. Even my thin ribs were made into an IRON PILLARS that night. It was a miracle! God has a plan for me and for you my friends. It was a plan to live through the New Year 2019 and beyond; not a plan to have power of death claiming victory over my life. My bones wouldn’t shatter and fracture on New Year’s Eve. The Lord has prevented my family from a devastating and traumatizing news at the wake of the New Year and my children’s birthdays.
It's hard to believe when we logically imagine the impact and a damage a car might cause to a body. I myself am amazed at God's miracles. I was hit from the edge of the headlight. And even if the car was not in full speed, due to the presence of snow on the ground that night, without the presence of the living God, the accident would have left a great damage on this small body or even the loss of my life. I could have been dead today. Surprisingly, there was no major damage. Only my jaw ligaments were injured, knee and rib bruises with only fractured teeth. They thought I might have some blood bleeding to my brain as I was experiencing persistent headaches after the accident. Amazingly, it was ruled out during yesterday’s visit—“YOU ARE OK!” said my doctor. Only one thing was recommended, to take time for healing and, that I should abstain from driving long distance to give time for my ribs to heal. This is incomparable to what the Lord has done—praise the God of the living!
I am conscious and the Lord’s promises are proven to be true, that, “One who is living in you is far greater than the one who is in the world” John 4:4. The Lord, who abides in us, makes us strong against our adversaries. He is the shield, the solid rock and mighty fortress around those he loves; “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46). Yes, he is, “our guardian will not fall asleep, nor slumber” (Psalm 121)
Now join me in singing David’s best hymn saying, Lord:
You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet,
like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress,
my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape,
my tower of rescue where none can reach me.
My secret strength and shield around me,
you are salvation’s ray of brightness shining on the hillside,
always the champion of my cause. (Psalms 18: 2 TPT)
This is my song, this is my story; it’s my miracle and I am alive! Thank you for my Godsend angel; thank you to everyone who has been remembering me and my family in your prayers daily; and thank you to you all who have called and visited us during this tough time. Please continue praying for quick recovery.
May the New Year bring us blessings, health, joy and renewed hopes
Happy New Year 2019