GOD’S KNOWS US SO INTIMATELY

God Powerfully Calls Me Back To Asia

When our church began planning another mission trip to Asia, my heart’s desire was clear—I wanted to go.  This time was different from my first trip three years earlier. Back then, I made every excuse not to go. But now? I longed to return.

A Heart Willing, But Still Waiting

Even though I desperately wanted to go, I knew I had to be in God’s will, not just following emotion. And I still didn’t feel peace either way.

When the team leader asked if I was going, I told him I wasn’t sure yet—I was still waiting to hear from God. I asked him to pray for guidance for me. I continued to pray fervently.

On Saturday, February 21, the team leader emailed and said the missionary in Asia needed a final list of attendees by Monday night, February 23, in order to book travel and lodging. The pressure was on.

“God Will Tell Me Tomorrow”

That Saturday night, my wife and I were doing devotions together, discussing the decision. We both agreed: God would tell me tomorrow.

The next morning—Sunday—we drove to church. On the way there, my wife asked, “Do you think you’re going to Asia?”

I replied, “I haven’t heard anything yet.”

But on the way home from church, something unexpected happened. The Holy Spirit prompted me to speak something out loud, right there in the car:

“I’m going to Asia—if, when I turn on the radio, the song ‘Bless the Lord, O My Soul’ is playing!”

This wasn’t random. That song—“10,000 Reasons”—was deeply meaningful to me, tied to my first Asia trip.

My wife heard me say it. I reached for the button and turned on the radio.

The very first words we heard were:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name…”

Tears filled my eyes. My wife said, “You’re going to Asia.”

“Yes,” I replied. “I know.”

The Most Intimate Confirmation

I couldn’t have imagined a more personal confirmation from God—unless He had audibly spoken to me. But in a way, this was even more intimate.

The Holy Spirit orchestrated everything. He prompted me to speak out loud what I did. He knew the exact timing of the song. He knew how deeply it meant to me—because He was the one who gave it to me three years earlier as the theme song for our first trip to Asia. (That story here.)

It wasn’t just the right song.
It was the right song… at the exact moment… playing the exact words I had just said out loud.

God answered my prayer in a way that only He could orchestrate.

But that’s not the end of the story!

The Holy Spirit confirmed my calling one more time before leaving on the trip—and, again, in such a personal, unforgettable way.

On the day of our departure, our team gathered in the airport lobby along with several people from our church who came to pray over us before we headed to the gate. Just before we left, a woman began handing out envelopes—homemade cards of encouragement she had prepared for each person going on the trip.

When she gave me my card, I decided I wouldn’t open it until we were in the air.

Once the flight was underway, I finally opened the envelope. The first thing I saw, boldly printed on the front of the card, were the words:

“BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL” – Psalm 103

(The very card now pictured at the top of this story.)

Wow. Unbelievable.

My spirit was overwhelmed by the goodness of my Father. Once again, He had confirmed His will through the same exact words He had used time and time again to reassure me that I was supposed to go on this trip.

Later, I asked the woman who gave me the card if she knew anything about the significance of “Bless the Lord, O my soul” and Psalm 103 in my life-especially in regards to this trip. She said no—she had no idea. She told me she just felt led to give me that card, and that all the others had completely different verses and messages.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”
(Ephesians 3:20)

We Serve a Living, Personal God

Friends, we serve a living God—a God who speaks, hears, and knows us intimately.

He knows the number of hairs on your head. He sees when the sparrow falls (Luke 12:6–7). He knows what’s playing on the radio. He knows what message you need to hear or read at the right time. And He knows what song He gave you years ago to mark a holy moment in your life.

We serve a God who loves us so much He invites us to call Him Abba—Father(Romans 8:15). Through Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to the Father. Through the Spirit, we can now walk in intimate fellowship with Him—not just in eternity, but right now.

 Your Response

Do you know the intimacy, reality, peace, joy and love that Jesus offers?  If not, I implore you to call out to Him to save you and make Himself reality to you.  I am No one special.  If He will do it for me, He will definitely do it for you.

Whoever calls on the name of Jesus, will be saved. Romans 10:13.

If you do know Jesus, seek Him with your whole heart, soul and mind.  There is nothing better than an intimate relationship with Him, through His Spirit.

BLESS THE LORD OH MY SOUL