How God Saved Me (David’s testimony)

At 11 years of age, there were not too many concerns other than school, sports and friends. I was attending a small Christian school in New Bern, North Carolina. We had just finished another chapel service and had returned to our classes when the most unusual feeling I have ever had came over me.

It started in my hands. They started shaking. I remember looking at them knowing something was wrong. Then it moved to my legs. They began to shake. This had never happened before and I was a little unsure what to do.

At that moment, I was overwhelmed by one thought. "If I die right now, where will I go?" The feeling that started with shaking now gripped my heart. I became terrified.

What happened next can only be attributed to the Lord's help. I certainly did not know what to do.

I raised my hand. The teacher acknowledged me. I said, "May I be excused." Without question, the teacher gave her permission.

I started down the hall, but passed the office where my mother was working. Down the stairs I went thinking, "If I can only get to my pastor's office, surely he can help me!"

After making my way out of the building, I headed toward the old building that housed the cafeteria and church offices. When I finally knocked on my pastor's door, I was weeping uncontrollably.

"What's wrong, David?" Pastor Bill Wingard said. "I am afraid that if I die right now, I am going to hell." I replied.

With that, I remember Bro. Wingard leading me off to the side. He and I sat down on metal chairs there in the cafeteria. He opened his Bible and began to tell me how I could know God's plan for salvation.

I listened carefully even though I already knew everything Bro. Wingard was telling me. My parents had faithfully followed the Lord all their lives and I had heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ since before I was old enough to understand. Yet, just knowing about the Bible or God's way of salvation is not enough.

There was a time when I had made a decision, but I could not remember it. In the past I had asked my parents to tell me the story on several occasions. I was hoping that somehow I could remember something about that day. It never worked and there was no joy or peace in my heart.

When people asked me if I was saved my reply would be yes. When they asked me to tell them about it, I always had to make up a new story. I could never remember the last story I had told. In reality, I was only deceiving myself.

Pastor Wingard said to me that day, "David, one day you will stand before God. At that moment, you will not have time to turn to your family and ask them to tell you the story again." As soon as he said that, I realized for the first time that God’s salvation was not real in my life.

It was not good enough to have godly parents. It was not good enough to attend church. I had even been baptized. That, I remembered, but in my heart there was no peace.

I remember deciding to trust Christ as my Savior that day. I got out of my seat and knelt down beside that metal chair. I remember starting to pray, but I do not know exactly what I said. One thought remains clear in my mind is telling the Lord that I was sorry for my sins. I asked Him to forgive me and to come into my heart and be my Savior.

AT THAT MOMENT, before my prayer was even finished, I remember clearly, the fear that had gripped my heart disappeared. Even as an 11 year old boy, I KNEW something had happened. It was as remarkable as the story of Jesus telling the winds and waves to be still. My heart became as still as those waves.

What had happened? Jesus had come into my heart and forgiven my sins! I was now a child of God. My name was now written in the Lamb's Book of Life. God had saved me!

Now, as I write this, I am in my forties. Each time I think of what the Lord did for me that day, it seems like yesterday. Do you know what? From that day until this, I have not once worried where I will go when I die. That certainly is a peace that only God can give! God's peace continues to flood my heart!

That, my friends, is the peace that God gives. It is a peace "that passes all understanding" the Bible says. You cannot manufacture it or wish it into existence. Only God can give you that peace.

Do you have His peace? Are you saved? If you died right now, do you know 100% for sure that heaven would be your home?

If not, why not ask Jesus to be your Savior today? Would you like help? I would love to open the Bible and tell you what Bro. Wingard told me that day. Why not give me a call or write. I would be glad to help.