(October 08, 2023) Robert McQuillan shares a breakthrough experience to encourage others, especially young believers feeling inadequate in serving Jesus…

According to Dr Fred Luskin, Stanford University, we have approximately 60,000 thoughts per day – 90% being repetitive!

Well, I woke up with one repetitive thought going round and round in my mind… and couldn’t switch it off! A simple but so meaningful eight-word scripture that’s had my back for decades. Then I started recalling the time some 50 years ago when that verse’s reality hit me, becoming an inner strength that I’ve never forgotten.

‘Which scripture?’ you ask, probably thinking everyone has some Bible verse that’s so meaningful to them.

• True… John 3:16 for example: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ 
• Maureen,  my darling wife, delights in Romans 15:13 – ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ 
• What’s your favourite that you cling to in times of troubles?

Strengthened
What was buzzing around in my head is famous, from a short psalm that I’ve often been asked to read when ministering at funerals – that well-known strengthening Psalm 23.

Resounding repeatedly in my mind was verse one – ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want’ (KJV).

You’re thinking ‘What? That old psalm that even many unsaved people know?’ Yes… but other thoughts were flowing… recalling the first time the depth of that one-liner became so clear to me, first as a shock, then so real, so vital, such an important secret.

Let me share…

Decades ago, back home in Northern Ireland, as a child I only knew the King James Version! For many years I attended the Anglican church opposite us… as a kid I went twice on Sundays as well to Sunday school twice (Yes, twice – early Sunday morning, then 3pm!)

Soon I could repeat the various creeds we had to learn as children and, brought up on the ‘old KJV’ could quote various scriptures. Psalm 23 I could repeat in full without a Bible in my hand.

Settled
I recall the year God really got a hold of my life and put me on a new track following Him. Although I’d been committed to Sunday school and church attendance, and learned so much from faithful Bible teachers, I was a thirteen-year-old before I made a public declaration of accepting Jesus as my Saviour. Young as I was, due to my faith and Bible knowledge, within two years I was teaching a Sunday school class.

But… years went by before my discovery of the power of that psalm’s first verse. A (very) young married man, with Maureen and our two kids I was residing in an outer city region. We hadn’t been to any church for some time, and longed to find a good local one.

It was through a car accident outside our home that almost killed our little daughter, Wendy, that we were invited by a thoughtful, caring neighbour to a fantastic church – Abbots Cross Congregational (Today lovingly referred to as AX).

Reverend Sam Workman, the minister back then, is still remembered for his fearless gospel preaching, leading so many into the saving arms of our blessed Saviour, in that church and others, as well as crusades in Eire and England. Up to 700 people (even way back in the late 60s!) attended that friendly church to hear God’s word.

We began attending weekly and I found myself attending Sunday afternoon men’s Bible study. And Tuesday night’s Bible study that had some 300 spiritually hungry attenders. I felt so blessed at that church. But… I had gone through a few traumas as a teenager, even as a young married man. And, even though I was an international company manager, I was rather shy, unsure of myself, my abilities, the future, and about serving the Lord. I was settled – but still searching!

Stunned
Mr Workman didn’t really know me, but I knew that he was known for his counselling wisdom and readiness to chat encouragingly with anyone – and for inspiring young people to step out in faith and believe that we too could serve God in meaningful ministry ways.

So I decided to share my concerns with him and made an appointment. I will never forget that midweek morning I went to see him! Was I blessed! (and so challenged!).

Sam Workman had invited me to the manse, and on arrival I discovered he was a little unwell, having come down with a croaky throat. But he smilingly welcomed me and listened to my concerns. Despite his sore throat, he encouraged me so much.

As I shared personal issues with him I immediately sensed the warmth of his caring pastor’s heart. He inspired me, counselling me so wisely, so positively, and convinced me that God had a role ahead – some major ministries – for me to play in His kingdom. I just sat there wide-eyed! Back then I didn’t know the Holy Spirit intimately, was unaware of His ways and workings.

Blessed, but unsure about those ‘ministries’, with a new peace of mind I rose to leave. And that’s when the shockwave challenge hit me… something so simple but whose outworking paved the way to really following Christ with confidence, discovering the Holy Spirit, and being unafraid to serve Jesus in whatever He would call me to do kingdom-wise!

Suddenly Reverend Workman blew me away! Out-of-the-blue he caught me unawares asking if I would tell the children’s story that coming Sunday, his throat being too sore to share.

Stunned, I flinched, staring at him with wide opened eyes and gulped! This was a mind-blowing, mind-exploding completely unexpected challenge that struck me dumb! His Sunday morning procedure was to tell a biblical story to the mass of kids before his sermon. Not just were kids engrossed, but the huge adult congregation were entranced as well!

What? Me stand up in the pulpit before the crowd of adults who didn’t know me, never mind catch kids’ eyes and hold their attention with some story? Me? I didn’t know how! You’ve got to be kidding, Mr Workman!

But… he wasn’t.

Scared!
If I’d really known about the rapture back then, I’d prayed: ‘Rapture me now, Lord, pleeeeeeease!’ Instead I muttered a weak ‘But, but… I can’t, couldn’t. Before hundreds? I’d be too nervous. Not positive enough, scared… I haven’t got what it takes, I’m lacking!’

Sam Workman interrupted me, asking, ‘Have you ever read The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale?’ No, I’d never even heard of that popular book back then.

‘Just a moment’ said the wee man (as he was fondly known by his flock) and started searching through books. Unable to find his copy, he turned apologetically. Then with a warm smile he said so positively, ‘Look… the only postive book you need is the Bible. You’ll be all right, young man, just be positive… the Lord will help you. You won’t be lacking, wanting.’

Still stunned, I panicked! But as I restarted the buts syndrome, Reverend Sam suddenly asked me, ‘Robert! You said you know scripture… what does Psalm 23, verse one say?’ I just gaped, blinked and said, ‘Why, “The Lord is my shepherd.”’

‘Yes… but that’s only one part! What does the rest say?’ I stood there, bewildered… and then quietly answered, ‘I shall not want.’

I was blown away again when Sam Workman again encouraged me enthusiastically, ‘Robert… really believe that, deeply believe that you will not want, that you’ll never want or be lacking again. You’ll “have it!”’

Boy, was I dazed, confused, bewildered! He added encouragingly, ‘Like David, trust your good shepherd. Always hand everything over to Him. He will lead you, enable you. As He helped David, He will help you. Now then, will you share Sunday morning?’

Shepherded
I nodded and agreed… rather weakly, I admit, left and drove home feeling scared. On telling Maureen, smiling she too encouraged me! It would be years before I had versions other than the KJV, such as the Message Bible which reads: ‘God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.’ 

But as I pondered on that King James verse and did some research, its reality hit me –

• Used 5164 times ‘not’ is lô’ lô’ lôh indicating no, never.
• ‘Want’ is khaw-sare’ to want, to lack.
• Scholars say that Psalm 23 was not a praise song of David the young shepherd, but of the adult distressed and troubled King David of 2 Samuel 15ff.

Something deep settled in my mind, my heart. I strongly believed Sam Workman’s encouragement and, with confidence in my great shepherd, used my artistry talent to draw several large, coloured scenario pictures depicting a little funny looking ancient middle-easterner based on Matthew 13:45-46’s parable. It was an involved next three days but I had my story to tell the kids!

I’ll always recall that Sunday when I stood in the high pulpit and found hundreds of eyes on me! To say I was nervous is simplifying it! Anyway, by God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s help, I fulfilled ‘my first mission.’ Little did I know that episode was but the prelude to serving the master!

Well, the kids enjoyed me, and the adults had smiled, appeared content. As I left the pulpit still wondering how I’d really went, I clearly heard the Holy Spirit gently whisper, ‘Fine… and you’ll do even better next time.’ Better? What next time? I was humbled but so encouraged!

Secured
That ‘secret’ shared by Sam Workman was merely the beginning! Little did I know that I would learn many other lessons about trusting Jesus as I ‘grew up spiritually secured in Him.’

Growing in one’s Christianity over the years is a developing journey with many experiences… for me it went from children’s ministry to youth leadership, moving to Australia… church planting, Bible college lecturing, itinerant ministry locally and overseas, literati involvement articlising/ghosting/editing magazines, and other Christian adventures as the Lord led!

And most importantly… always knowing that I could trust my great shepherd, that no matter what He required of me, I’d never want, never lack! I’d learned the secret of success with Jesus – to fully trust Him, even in distressing times, sicknesess! And I still do.

No, I haven’t penned this article to praise me… but to honour my Saviour (and Sam Workman. On learning years later of his passing to glory I wrote a tribute entitled Legacy).

My challenge to you, dear reader, especially young’uns, is this: Do you sense the Spirit calling you to accept some challenge that God has laid on your heart? Feeling nervous, lacking, regarding that calling?

As Psalm 23:1(GNB) assures, ‘The Lord is my shepherd. I am never in need.’ Our God can open ministry doors, supply every assurance, give you confidence in His Holy Spirit, meet every contingency… and so much more. We all need to be bold, have a godly Star Trek mentality to ‘go where no one has gone before’… wherever God is calling you, whatever the ministry He has destined for you!

May you let that thought be repetitive in your mind today!

• Be encouraged to achieve for God.
• ‘If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you’ (John 14:15Mge).
• ‘Loving God means keeping His commandments [which] are not burdensome’ (1 John 5:3NLT).
• ‘… even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice’ (Luke 11:28).
• ‘Give your life to God; He can do more with it than you can!’ – D L Moody.

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Dr Robert and Pr Maureen McQuillan’s links: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com and Facebook 
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