Be gracious to me, O LORD;
See my affliction from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
That I may tell of all Your praises,
That in the gates of the daughter of Zion
I may rejoice in Your salvation.
(Psalm 9:13-14, NASB)
A couple of years ago, I was in a play based on David Wilkerson’s book—and story—The Cross and the Switchblade. You may or may not be familiar with Teen Challenge, an international organization that ministers to gang members and addicts. It started back in the 50s when a rural preacher, David Wilkerson, felt called to reach out to “the least of these” in New York City. One of those young people was Nicky Cruz.
Soon after that play, I had the privilege of listening to Nicky tell his story in person. This is a man who knows what it means to have been “lifted up from the gates of death.” He was a hard-core gang leader. He even laughed at the sight of blood. But he met Jesus, and he’s spent his life doing exactly what the psalmist did: “tell of all [God’s] praises.” And he proudly and boldly rejoices in God’s salvation.
His story is inspirational. And it reminded me of what I wrote Friday. Because Nicky was willing to tell his story, countless people have come to know Jesus, and countless others have been inspired and challenged. Now you may not speak in front of crowds of hundreds or thousands, but you too can inspire and challenge others.
Tell your story. Tell of His praises. Rejoice in His salvation. You’ll touch lives. Guaranteed!
See my affliction from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
That I may tell of all Your praises,
That in the gates of the daughter of Zion
I may rejoice in Your salvation.
(Psalm 9:13-14, NASB)
A couple of years ago, I was in a play based on David Wilkerson’s book—and story—The Cross and the Switchblade. You may or may not be familiar with Teen Challenge, an international organization that ministers to gang members and addicts. It started back in the 50s when a rural preacher, David Wilkerson, felt called to reach out to “the least of these” in New York City. One of those young people was Nicky Cruz.
Soon after that play, I had the privilege of listening to Nicky tell his story in person. This is a man who knows what it means to have been “lifted up from the gates of death.” He was a hard-core gang leader. He even laughed at the sight of blood. But he met Jesus, and he’s spent his life doing exactly what the psalmist did: “tell of all [God’s] praises.” And he proudly and boldly rejoices in God’s salvation.
His story is inspirational. And it reminded me of what I wrote Friday. Because Nicky was willing to tell his story, countless people have come to know Jesus, and countless others have been inspired and challenged. Now you may not speak in front of crowds of hundreds or thousands, but you too can inspire and challenge others.
Tell your story. Tell of His praises. Rejoice in His salvation. You’ll touch lives. Guaranteed!
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