RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” (Revelation 3:14)
Many years ago I offered up to God one of the most significant prayers I’ve ever brought before His throne. “O God,” I cried out, “please place me in situations where You are my only hope. Help me never to depend upon my own skills and abilities to accomplish Your work.”
God not only heard that prayer, but He’s been faithful to answer it — year after year. One of the most exciting things He’s done in my ministry is to keep me in the “valley of dependence.” He continues to place me in circumstances where it’s impossible for me to accomplish His will. There’s no greater adventure than trusting Christ for the fulfillment of His promises. When things aren’t going well, it’s easy to think you’re living in the valley of defeat rather than the valley of dependence. But the dark valleys of life often cause us to place our complete trust in Christ.
For me, the 1980s were years of learning to trust God in such valleys. During the dark and difficult days of communism, I traveled throughout Eastern Europe. Pastors in Romania often told me that the Securitate (secret police) would not permit me to return. But God was faithful. Year after year, He opened the doors, and I was able to travel in the country and minister the Word of God.
I was entering Romania via train in 1988 when soldiers came running toward the railroad car where I was seated. They came to my compartment and said, “Come with us.” I knew what that meant. They took me off the train and confiscated my passport. They stood in a circle around me and held me under guard. My heart broke. I didn’t know what they would do, but I knew I would probably never see my Romanian friends again.
To be honest, I had a really big pity party. I felt sorry for myself. I cried over my mistreatment and what was transpiring. But in those moments and hours, something happened in my heart. God reminded me of the prayer I had prayed, “Please place me in situations where You are my only hope. Help me never to depend upon my own skills and abilities to accomplish Your work.”
Then the words of a great hymn arose in my heart: “Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” I began to worship and adore Him. I took my eyes off my circumstances — and placed them on His faithfulness.
Although I was banned from the country, God was faithful to His promises. A little over a year from my being banned from the country, the revolution took place. I returned to Romania and began preaching in stadiums all over the nation. I was overwhelmed at God’s goodness and faithfulness.
One name attributed to God in the Scriptures is the “Amen.” That title for Jesus in the Book of Revelation emphasizes His unchanging faithfulness. It means He is eminently “true, certain, and faithful.” When He says He will do something, then it’s “amen — so be it.” It will come to pass. It’s absolute — certain. There’s no doubt in His promises. There’s only certainty. As the apostle Paul wrote, “The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
When you know that God has called you and your circumstances look impossible, just remember: His name is the “Amen.”