I would have despaired unless I had believed
that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13 (NASB)
Psalm 27:13 (NASB)
I am
currently in the United States for a few days to attend the 2012 International
Christian Resources Show (ICRS) in Orlando FL, at the invitation of my
publishers, Deep River Books, who are based in the United States. It holds from
Sunday 15 July to Wednesday 18 July at the Orange County Convention Center, 9400
Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819.
According
to my publicist, Rhonda Funk (http://bringitoncommunications.com), “ICRS is
where the Christian resources industry meets. There is no other time or place
where so many people, products, services, media, authors, artists, and
craftspeople are gathered together in one place. The show incorporates more
than 125,000 square feet of exhibit space, 425 exhibits, and nearly 100 meeting
rooms. The show brings together more than 10,000 attendees and exhibitor
personnel from across the United States and more than 50 other countries.
Thousands of book store buyers come, many of them making major year-long buying
decisions about which books to stock in their stores.”
I arrived
late Friday July 13th. I missed my flight from London, and so had to pay more
money to get on to the next flight! And as if that wasn’t enough trouble for
one day, just as we were boarding the flight I was pulled aside for additional
searching. I had to take off my shoes, belt and jacket. My luggage was
thoroughly examined in the full glare of everyone boarding the plane. I felt so
embarrassed!
The last
time I visited the US in November 2011, I was singled out by the Department of
Homeland Securities for a similar search just before I boarded the plane! This
time I was so upset that by the time I got on the flight, I decided I am never
visiting the United States ever again!
Whilst on
the flight I decided to continue my reading from my book Crushing the Devil. As I read the chapters on Spiritual Warfare and Strategies in Spiritual Warfare the Lord spoke to
me. I was wrong to be angry. God said He expects me to give thanks in every
situation and to expect the best from every situation at all times. I repented
immediately and thanked Him for the opportunity to be searched. The officers
were merely doing their duty to ensure the plane wasn’t bombed mid-air by a
passenger carrying a bomb on their person!
All kinds
of things get thrown at us in life – some by the Devil and some through our
foolishness or carelessness (for instance if I had arrived in time for my
flight I wouldn’t have missed it). Some things that happen to us may not have a
logical explanation (for instance being singled out for searches on two
consecutive visits to the US even though I hold a UK passport). However, whatever life throws at us, we must believe that because
we serve a good God, we would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the
living! The New International Version says “I am still
confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the
living.”
Whatever
you are going through right now, be encouraged! God can bring good out of it;
so don’t despair! And remember that it isn’t over until God says so!
PS~ I will be signing copies of my book, Crushing The Devil at ICRS. I will be at Booth 663A. If you are
in Florida, and can make it, please drop by! To download my Media
Kit, please visit: http://bringitoncommunications.com/Media%20Kits/Pedro%20Okoro-Media%20Kit.pdf
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