New Beginning for the Innocent Man

In the Scriptures,

8

is the number of new beginnings.

Eight people entered into the ark by faith.

I Peter 3:20

"while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is,

eight souls, were saved through water."

The firstborn was to be given to God on the 8th day (Exodus 22:29-30).

 In Genesis 17:12 instructions were given to circumcise on the 8th day.

Circumcision of the flesh foreshadowed the circumcision of the heart

through faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:11-13)

We have a new beginning in our lives, as well.

The Honorable Judge M. gave an 18 year sentence,

8 incarcerated,

10 on strict probation.

It is a harsh sentence,

especially for an Innocent Man.

Although the judge spent 45 minutes talking about the Innocent Man's

good character, based on his  his lack of ANY police record,

no drug or alcohol abuse, many letters written to the judge in his favor,

he had to stand on the jury's guilty verdict and give the time demanded the crime.

The Innocent Man called tonight.

He had some tears,

but mostly resolve to stand firm in the Lord.

He is determined to be a good testimony,

to continue to be faithful in prayer

for those he loves dearly outside the prison walls,

and not waste his

8 years.

He misses his loved ones so much and we know

how much his family will have changed in those years.

He will miss Graduations and weddings and babies.

He will miss picnics and vacations and family squabbles.

Eight years is a long, long, long time.

It's a very long time.

But it is the time the Lord chose;

the number

8

is the number of new beginnings.

We will continue to walk by faith,

trusting in the plan the Lord reveals little by little.

We choose to believe

 God is sovereign.

We choose to walk the next

8 long years

by faith.