Could this really be happing? To me?
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
— Psalm 84:11 (KJV)
Over the past four years, this verse has become one of the most powerful promises in all of Scripture to me. It is no longer just a verse that I read in my Bible. It has become my personal testimony. It tells the story of how God has carried me through some of the darkest and most painful years of my life, and how He has proven Himself faithful every step of the way.
Four years ago, my life changed in an instant in a horrific incident when I suffered massive burns. Doctors told me that I should have died. I would never walk. I would never… Over and over I heard those words time and time again. Then in March of this year, I slipped on ice and broke my spine completely in half when I violently hit the ground. By all medical expectations, I should have been instantly and permanently paralyzed. Not once, but 20+ times my spinal cord should had been severed before having surgery! Every doctor, every nurse all said the same thing. “You should be paralyzed and it’s impossible that you are not!” Yet God had other plans.
In one of the greatest miracles of my life, the Lord shielded my spinal cord. Although my back was catastrophically damaged, my spinal cord remained protected. When I look back on that moment, I see the literal fulfillment of Psalm 84:11: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield.” God stood between me and destruction. He was my Shield. Since the original accident, I have endured thirty-eight surgeries. Each procedure brought uncertainty, pain, and difficult recoveries. My life was turned upside down and slammed to the ground.
Before the accident, I was active, independent, and capable of accomplishing nearly anything I set my mind to. Today, because of severe disabilities, even the simplest of tasks can be challenging. Things most people take for granted now require tremendous effort. Yet despite all that has changed, one thing has never changed: God has been faithful.
There were many days when everything seemed dark. Pain clouded my mind. Questions filled my heart. The future was uncertain. But God became my Sun. He brought light when I could not see the path ahead. He brought warmth when life felt cold and lonely. He reminded me that even when my circumstances changed, His love never did.
When I did not know what tomorrow would bring, God gave me enough light for one more step. Then another. And another. The Lord not only gave me light; He protected me. He shielded my spinal cord when it should have been destroyed. He protected me through surgery after surgery. He sustained me when complications arose. He watched over me when my body was weak.
There is no explanation for my survival and preservation other than the hand of God and the miracles that were performed. Psalm 84:11 also declares,“The LORD will give grace and glory.” God’s grace has sustained me every single day. Grace is more than forgiveness. Grace is divine strength. It is the supernatural ability to endure what seems impossible. This verse has become deeply personal to me. There were days when I felt I had no strength left and days when pain seemed overwhelming. Yet every morning, God provided exactly what I needed to keep moving forward.
The promise of glory has also kept my eyes fixed on eternity. The word “glory” in Psalm 84:11 points to the eternal hope that awaits every believer. My circumstances may be difficult, but they are temporary. God is preparing something far greater than anything I have lost. One day there will be no more surgeries, no more pain, no more disabilities, and no more tears.
The final promise of Psalm 84:11 says, “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” This truth has transformed my understanding of suffering. At first, it may seem difficult to reconcile this promise with years of hardship. But God defines “good” differently than we often do. What is truly good is anything that draws us closer to Him, strengthens our faith, and prepares us for eternity.
God may not always give us the life we planned, but He always gives us what we need. He never wastes our suffering. These last four years have been the hardest of my life. I have endured more pain, uncertainty, and limitation than I ever thought possible. Yet through it all, I have never lost sight of how great God has been to me. I could focus on what I have lost. Or I can focus on what God has done.
He saved my life – protected my spinal cord – guided the hands of surgeons – carried me through thirty-eight surgeries – strengthened me in weakness – gave me hope when circumstances seemed hopeless – opened doors for me to testify of His goodness – and tell others what Jesus Christ has done.
If these four years have taught me anything, it is this: God is faithful, present, powerful, merciful, and is enough. He has been my Sun in the darkest days, Shield in the fiercest battles, given me grace to endure, promised glory to come, and has withheld no good thing.
If you are facing hardship today, I want you to know that the same God who carried me will carry you. The same God who shielded my spinal cord can protect you. The same God who sustained me through thirty-eight surgeries can sustain you through your own trial. The same God who gave me hope will give you hope.
Trust Him – Walk with Him – Keep your eyes fixed on Him.
You may not understand what you are going through, but you can trust the One who holds your life in His hands. Psalm 84:11 is more than a beautiful promise. It is my testimony. For four years, through catastrophic injury, thirty-eight surgeries, severe disabilities, and life-changing challenges, God has proven beyond all doubt that He is my Sun and my Shield. He has given me grace, promised glory, and has withheld no good thing. For the rest of my life, I will continue to proclaim His greatness and give Him all the glory.
To God be all praise, honor, and glory forever. Amen.
About the author and founder of AlaskaByte Ministry:
Scott has been on a journey that has changed his life forever. Having been in a horrific incident where he was severely burned, it changed his entire outlook on life. From the many years he served his community, to the outreach he is doing today, he continues to be a servant. Not of just his fellow man, but a servant of God. You can get more information about Scott in the “About” section of this website.