GOD IS FORUS A bout 15 years ago I went through the hardest time of my entire life. Without going into the gory details, I was really hurting andmy whole world was crumbling around me. Then, some strange things started happening. Every time I turned around, it seemed, the car in front of me would have a dealer’s car tag.—I’d be at a stop light and the car in front of mewould have a dealer’s tag. I’d be nice and let someone pull in front of me and they’d have a dealer’s tag on their car. This happened time after time after time. I’mnot superstitious, but I began askingGodwhether this was coincidence, or whetherHewas trying to tell me something. As I prayed it seemed as thoughGodwas tellingme that whenever I sawa dealer’s tag it was to be a reminder that I am “dealing” with eternal issues. In other words, I was to maintain an eternal perspective on life, that the trials of this life are only temporary (II Corinthians 4:16-18). Then another phenomenon happened. I started seeing the number 444 time after time after time. Some car would have the license plate 444. I’dwake up in themiddle of the night and the digital clock would read 444. I’d glance at my digital wrist watch and it would read 444. Again I began praying, “Lord, is this coincidence or are you trying to tell me something?” As I prayed Romans 8:31 came to mind which says, “...if God is for us, who can be against us?” Since there are three Persons within the Godhead (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and since they are each “4” me, 444 was to be a reminder of that truth. On one of the very worst days of my life, I was on my way to see an attorney about a legal problem that was breaking my heart. It was a cold, drizzly, November day. I was trying to remain strong inmy faith but I was fighting depression and discouragement. As I pulled onto the interstate a little white car passed me with the license plate “D-444!” All of a sudden I felt God’s peace come over me. I felt like He’d spoken to me, “Bart, keep an eternal perspective, and I want you to know that I’m for you.” And He was. Against all odds things turned out OK. Years later I saw the attorney I had visited that day and he asked how things came out. When I told him he said, “Do you realize that only about one out of 100 people who go through what you did come out as well as you did?”—I thought, “Thank you, Lord, for being for (444) me.” If you are going through some trials and hard times, remember that the pains and heartaches of this life will not last forever. Do you recall the words Joseph spoke to his brothers after they sold him into slavery? Joseph said, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20) d
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