by Don Hatfield
remember what Moses said to them?” I thought for a moment and then it hit me. I looked at Paul and said, “He said to them stand and see the salvation of the Lord.” Paul then said, “Yes, Yes, He wants us to stand with the armor He provides while we watch Him defeat the enemy. So put on and equip yourself with the knowledge of the truth and the reality of God that the battle is already won. Wear the truth like a belt around you always reminding you of this great truth. It is finished and Jesus our Savior sits at the right hand of God. Take this breastplate of His righteousness and place it over your heart. This breastplate which is Jesus has integrity, virtue, and purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling and acting. It brings about a condition in which a man may be approved by God.” I said to Paul, “I am getting dressed into Jesus please continue to tell me what else my tailor would have me to wear.” Paul laughed and said, “So be it.” I laughed a holy laugh and clapped my hands at his next words. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Paul said, “Tychicus I do not know when you will be released but I want you to have your shoes ready to travel wherever He may lead you. Tell them that the peace of God has come to all men through His Son Jesus and that they have nothing to fear for their Creator has come seeking them.” I got so excited when Paul told me this that I jumped up and did a little dance right there in front of him and the Lord. After I did it I felt a little embarrassed until Paul told me the story of how David was bringing back the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem and did his own dance in front of the Lord. Paul said, “Tychicus if only so many of His saints would feel like dancing when they think of His great salvation.”
Next discussion, we took a short break for some water and the little food we had left. Paul then said,” It is getting late and darkness will soon be upon us. For some reason I know that we need to finish this letter tonight.” So we both took our places and Paul wrote, “Above all taking the shield of faith where with you shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Tychicus, all of us need to raise up this shield of faith. Let it be a large shield like the Roman soldiers shield, hold it up and think of these words being written on it. I am convinced that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things and is the provider of all things and has bestowed eternal salvation through Jesus Christ His Son. If you turn those words whichever way they need to be turned then they will extinguish those lying arrows that the wicked one throws at you. Tychicus, remember to put on your helmet every day, for that helmet says that the one who wears this belongs to God and every morning take that sword which you are sharpening while you are here and mediated upon it.” Paul began to tear up and his voice began to quiver as if he knew something that I did not know. He then got up and hugged me and prayed with me that I would remember these words.
Next discussion, Paul then said, “Come, Tychicus, we must hurry and finish”. With that he sat down again and wrote, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” In a soft voice Paul then said to me, “Tychicus never, never, quit praying. It is always the right time to pray and when you pray seek the one who is the answer instead of just seeking the one who gives the answers for then you will be praying in the Spirit. Be attentive and seek God for all the saints.” Then Paul turned to me and said, “Tychicus, you will be leaving tomorrow. They will set you free.” I started to protest. I started to ask how he could know that but Paul put his finger to his lips and said, “Quiet now.” He then pointed down to our paper and wrote, “And for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel. For which I am an ambassador in bonds that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.” Paul put his arm around my shoulder and said, “Tychicus, I just know that tomorrow you will be leaving. You’re learning here is over and you must go proclaim what you have learned to others. You must go visit your parents and your wife to see if you can make amends. You must tell them of the love of Christ. You must also take this letter to our brothers in Ephesus so that they may learn more of our Savior.” I knew in my heart that what he way saying was right and I knew that I would have to go and leave this prison of freedom. I looked at Paul and with tears streaming down my cheek said, “How in the world will I ever get to Ephesus.” As soon as I said it I knew the answer for we both then said, “Jehovah-Jireh.”
Next discussion, Paul said, “Tychicus we have but a little light left so I will close this letter with these words. But that ye also may know my affairs and how I do Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord shall make known to you all things.” When Paul wrote these words I began to sob for I would miss him so. What an honor that he would call me a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord. Paul again put his arm around me but kept on writing the following words, “Whom I have sent to you for the purpose that ye might know our affairs and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity Amen.”
Paul said, “Tychicus, it finished our letter to the Ephesians is finished.” We stopped then and talked for a while. We talk of heaven and how if we never saw each other again we would have a great reunion up there. We prayed and then went to bed. As I laid there praying I ask God if I could stay here in what had become for me a prison of freedom. I would rather stay here than go back out to the slavery of the world. As I prayed I felt as if Jesus was saying no you must go now and take what you have learned about freedom to your brothers and sisters who are in bondage. I felt a peace come over me as I said whatever you want Jesus and with that I fell asleep.
Day Nine
I awoke the next morning as daylight began to stream through our one window. Paul as usual was at the throne of grace and so I also approached my Father. I prayed again and asked if I could stay with Paul. Then I heard Mr. Gruff coming down the hallway cursing. He came up and banged on the bars and said here is your breakfast come and get it before I throw it on the floor. I went to the door to retrieve breakfast and he of course half threw it at me and turned and starting walking away. Then he turned and said, “You have five minutes they are setting you free.” My heart sank but then I felt Paul’s hand on my shoulder and he said go and tell the good news. I turned and hugged him and he handed me the letter. I looked for Angel to say goodbye but he had not appeared. At that moment Mr. Gruff came back and said, “Let’s go.” He led me back down the hallway and told me not to mention the name of Jesus again. I laughed to myself. He opened the door and shoved me out into the sunlight. To my shock and amazement who was standing there waiting for me. Gregory, the guard that Paul had told about Jesus when I first went into the prison. He told me that after our witness he had accepted Christ as Savior. Then he showed me a chariot and said he had a week off with the use of this chariot and was there any place I wanted to go. I just laughed and said Jehovah- Jireh. He gave me a puzzled look and I said I will explain later but I needed to go to Ephesus. We got in the chariot and Gregory said, “Did you get the candles I threw in that window.” I looked over and could see Paul smiling at me as we got ready to take off. Then the strangest thing happened a small sparrow came down and landed on the horses harness and stayed there for about five seconds looking at me. Then it flew away and went right into the cell window. I looked up at the beautiful sky my Father had painted that morning and said, “Amen, So be it.”
The End
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
In Christ, Don Hatfield
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