Areas of Divine Intervention
A Personal Testimony of Faith and Providence
On February 15, 2026, in a morning worship service, preacher Steve delivered a heartfelt sermon titled “Areas of Divine Intervention – Personal.” Drawing from Scripture and his own life experiences, he explored how God actively intervenes, provides, and preserves the lives of His people. With Scripture readings by Mike and Roger, the message centered on trusting God’s providence rather than human strength, culminating in an invitation to deeper faith.
The service began with two powerful Scripture readings that set the theological foundation. Mike read from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, where Paul blesses God as the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. Paul explains that God comforts believers in tribulation so they can comfort others with the same comfort received. He describes his own severe afflictions in Asia, where burdens exceeded human strength, leading to despair of life itself. Yet these trials served a purpose: to teach reliance on God, who raises the dead and delivers from peril. Paul emphasizes shared suffering and shared consolation, urging the Corinthians not to be ignorant of his troubles.
Roger followed with Philippians 4:10–20, where Paul rejoices in the Philippians’ renewed concern and support. He declares he has learned contentment in every circumstance—whether in humble means or prosperity, hunger or abundance—because “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” The Philippians’ gifts were a fragrant offering to God, and Paul assures them that God will supply all their needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. These passages highlight themes of divine comfort, strength, provision, and contentment amid hardship.
Steve then introduced the sermon’s focus: divine intervention in personal lives. At 84 years old (soon 85), he shared that decades of experiences had solidified his conviction in God’s active role. He reads five Psalms and one Proverb daily, reinforcing the biblical portrayal of a God who intervenes, providentially guides, and preserves life. The Psalms and Proverbs repeatedly affirm belief in God’s care for creation. Steve pointed to the creation account in Genesis, where each day builds sequentially—day one preceding day two, and so on—demonstrating God’s orderly preservation and provision for the world He made.
He urged believers to trust the same God Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob trusted. Referencing Hebrews 11:5–6, Steve explained that Enoch pleased God because he believed God exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him. God developed faith in the patriarchs through direct interactions, and Romans declares humanity without excuse for unbelief because creation reveals God’s existence and character. Jesus Himself taught this reliance in Matthew 6:25–34. Steve read: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink… Look at the birds of the air… your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Jesus points to flowers clothed more splendidly than Solomon and grass sustained by God, concluding, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Steve emphasized that skills, opportunities, rain, sun, food, and even the meal awaiting downstairs after service are provisions from God’s hand.
True belief in God, Steve argued, transforms how we live. If we truly trust Him, anxiety over daily needs diminishes. Even those on the streets often find food and shelter because God stirs compassion in others. Paul’s life exemplified this divine intervention. Raised as a Pharisee and Sanhedrin member, Paul zealously persecuted Christians, believing he served God. Yet it required dramatic divine intervention—Christ’s appearance on the Damascus road—to redirect him. Ananias hesitated to approach the feared persecutor, but God assured him Paul was changed. Paul’s faith was later tested severely, as recounted in 2 Corinthians 1:8–11. Overwhelmed beyond endurance, despairing of life, he learned not to rely on himself but on “God who raises the dead.” Deliverance came, and Paul set his hope on continued rescue, crediting the Corinthians’ prayers.
Steve then shared his own testimony of personal divine intervention. As a younger man with three grade-school children, he aspired to financial success—nice home, car, and comforts. He tried sales, accounting, car sales, and insurance, but failed repeatedly. One low point left him with five dollars in savings, no money in checking, crushing debt, and unemployment. One desperate night, he sprawled on the living room floor and surrendered everything to God in prayer.
The next morning, scanning the newspaper, he spotted an ad for a Coca-Cola morning driver-salesman position—something he had never considered. At nearly 300 pounds and out of shape, he applied wearing a suit, the only applicant so dressed. Despite the competition of 20–25 others, the interviewer offered him the job contingent on obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Steve had not studied, yet passed the test by missing exactly the allowed six questions. Hired, he transformed physically—dropping to 160 pounds, building muscle, and handling 60-pound cases with ease. Within six years, he cleared all debt and pursued ministry training. He attributes this turnaround entirely to God’s providence.
Steve identifies deeply with Paul’s words in Philippians 4: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances… I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Both men faced failure, despair, and testing, yet discovered God’s faithfulness. Steve believes God tests faith daily to reveal dependence on Him. The way we live declares our belief—or lack thereof—in God’s existence and care.
The sermon closed with a gospel invitation. God calls people to repent, believe He exists and rewards diligent seekers, and accept reconciliation through Jesus Christ, our High Priest. His sacrifice covers sins; baptism brings remission and new life. Steve extended the offer: anyone needing assurance of God’s fatherly care could respond. The congregation stood to sing an invitation hymn.
This message resonates because it bridges ancient Scripture with modern experience. Paul’s trials in Asia and Steve’s financial desperation both illustrate that God often allows pressure beyond human strength to teach reliance on Him. Contentment is not passive resignation but active trust in the One who feeds birds, clothes flowers, and supplies needs. Steve’s journey from despair to provision underscores that divine intervention is personal, timely, and transformative.
In a world of uncertainty, the sermon invites reflection: Do we truly believe God intervenes? If so, our lives reflect peace amid trials, generosity toward others, and pursuit of His kingdom first. As Paul wrote, God supplies according to His riches in glory. Steve’s testimony and the Scriptures together affirm that the God who raised the dead, delivered Paul, and turned a desperate prayer into provision remains active today—comforting, strengthening, and preserving those who trust Him.
Areas of Divine Intervention
A Personal Reflection In Everyday Life
On February 15, 2026, preacher Steve shared a compelling message titled “Areas of Divine Intervention – Personal” during a morning worship service. Supported by Scripture readings from Mike (2 Corinthians 1:3-11) and Roger (Philippians 4:10–20), the sermon emphasized God’s active role in comforting, strengthening, and providing for believers.
The readings highlighted Paul’s experiences of overwhelming affliction and learned contentment. In 2 Corinthians, Paul describes despairing of life in Asia, only to discover that such trials taught reliance on “God who raises the dead.” In Philippians, he rejoices in the church’s support while affirming, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” having mastered contentment in plenty or want.
Steve, at 84 years old, drew from decades of personal experiences to affirm God’s providence and preservation. He reads Psalms and Proverbs daily, reinforcing belief in a God who intervenes in creation and individual lives. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:25–34—urging believers not to worry about food, drink, or clothing because the Father feeds birds and clothes flowers—served as a cornerstone. Steve stressed that true faith trusts God’s provision rather than human effort alone.
The sermon’s emotional peak came with Steve’s testimony. As a young father of three, he pursued wealth through sales jobs but failed repeatedly, sinking into deep debt and unemployment. One desperate night, he prayed fervently on his living room floor. The next morning, a newspaper ad led to a Coca-Cola driver-salesman position. Despite being overweight and unqualified, he secured the job, passed the CDL test without studying, transformed physically, cleared his debts within years, and later pursued ministry. He sees this turnaround as clear divine intervention.
Steve closed by identifying with Paul’s journey and inviting listeners to trust God fully—repenting, believing, and accepting Christ through baptism for new life. The message reminds us: God tests, delivers, and provides for those who diligently seek Him.