How God Saved Me

Job 19:25,26  “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth…. yet in my flesh shall I see God.“

This verse describes the absolute certainty that a man called Job had in His living redeemer (someone who had paid a great price to bring his soul into relationship with the eternal God and whom he would one day see). I have not been through the dreadful experiences that Job had to face but I do have the same certainty. It has not always been that way. 

When I was asked to write this account I was reluctant to do so but I realise that this is not a testimony to my life but to the Lord Jesus Christ, my redeemer, and as such I am very willing to speak of Him and what he has come to mean to me. I have never felt the need for a crutch as some would call it but Christ is a solid rock to keep us from sinking, an anchor to keep us from drifting and give us hope for eternity and every one of us needs that. 

Psalms 61:2 “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. “

In 1960 I was born to Christian parents at Altrincham community hospital near to where they lived in Northenden, South Manchester. I don’t remember anything really about my first home as we moved when I was about three to Newton-Le-Willows. We did not spend too long there either but I remember having a good friend called Terry. Together we built go-karts and got up to all the usual pranks that young boys with the relative freedom of that time were able to do. I remember also going with Terry to a mission hall in Earlstown, where a man called John Isherwood was running children’s meetings helped by my Dad. I can’t remember much about those meetings but I remember his genuine interest in us and the joy and enthusiasm with which he spoke of the Bible and of Christ. At this time I also attended meetings at the local assembly where my parents were in fellowship at Mill Lane, Northenden. I am grateful to my parents for the example that they gave to me and regular instruction from the Bible. I remember my father, at times spreading a sheet on the back of the sofa and telling myself and my younger brother, Ian, stories from the Bible using flannel graph characters. 

I could not give you a date or time when I was saved. We moved from Newton-le-Willows to Bramhall and later to Worcestershire because of my Dad’s work and over time I became very familiar with the gospel. One of my earliest memories is kneeling down beside my bed with my mother to pray and simply asking the Lord Jesus to be my Saviour. It was a long time before I got assurance that I was truly saved. I can remember listening intently to preachers who would explain that I needed to confess my sins, repent and trust in Christ for salvation. Each would explain it in different ways and I would go home and go through the process again and again to make sure I was safe for eternity. Eventually I came to realise that it was not dependent on me but on the Lord Jesus Christ and what he had done for me. 

When he said “It is finished” on the cross there was nothing left for us to do but to trust in Him. And He can never fail. 

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God 

Over the years I have come to appreciate what a tremendous, indescribable blessing it is to have a right relationship with God through faith in Christ. It is more valuable than anything else on Earth. It is satisfying emotionally, intellectually but most of all spiritually to know I am linked forever with Him. 

When we moved to Worcestershire my parents initially joined a fellowship in Evesham but, when this had to close they moved to Foxlydiate Gospel Hall in Redditch. It was there that I gained a greater knowledge of God’s word through local godly brethren who lived what they preached and through visiting speakers such as Albert Leckie, Jack Hunter and Geoffrey Harrison who brought the Bible to life and challenged me greatly by their ministry. During my early teenage years I got involved in things which I am ashamed of, with friends at school who were not a good influence. I am just grateful that the Lord rescued me from that course of life and I was baptised and received into fellowship with the believers who meet at Foxlydiate Gospel Hall in September 1976 at the age of 15. 

An important time in my life was when I left home in 1979 to go to University in Manchester. I was grateful for the helpful support of the Mellish family who provided a very welcome refuge from the often distressing environment of university and the hall of residence where I was staying. It was at this time that my interest in spiritual things increased dramatically and I made a personal commitment to give my best to the Lord. It was also at this time that I met my future wife, Gill who has been a faithful support and encouragement to me. We were married in 1983 and since that time have experienced many difficult experiences but also blessings as we have raised a family home together for the Lord. 

As you read this I trust that you may be helped or encouraged. The love of God for you is very real. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16

Michael Platt