“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)

“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” (Psalm 40:2)

It has been the testimony of many inmates of the Mississippi Department of Corrections prison system that if it had not been for them coming through Mississippi and ending up incarcerated, there was no way that they would have met the Lord Jesus Christ and surrendered their life to Him.

I am one who can give witness to the prison system half – one changed inside prison – who was already a resident of the State of Mississippi. I have lived in Mississippi all my life. And the time that I have spent being confined, I would not change, or complain about, because of the purpose and plan that God has, and has in it.

Men from all over the United States have given the same statement of faith and confidence, regardless of how far they are away from their original state and home now. “Being stuck in the MUDD was not such a bad thing after all.”

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

I can recall that moment in this journey where and when I could only cry out to God for help. Being the only one in a lonely single cell, with no one around to call on for help, away from family, friends, co-defendants, attorneys, and everybody who was supposed to be dependable – the Lord said, “Try Me.”

Like myself, many had to reach “Rock Bottom,” or find themselves in Mississippi Mudd, not able to help themselves, but depend and trust on someone else’s help to get them out of being stuck. Thank God that while they were here in Mississippi, God opened some eyes to see that they not only needed a physical deliverance, but that they (we) needed a Spiritual Deliverance as well.

Not only did the Holy Spirit of God do His job in ministering to me in conviction over the guilt of sin, and who I was, and the need for a Savior, and who Jesus is – but thank God also that the Word of God is still allowed to be preached and still allowed to be in the possession of MDOC inmates.

We can read in John 16:7-14 about the responsibility of the Holy Spirit:

“…Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7)

“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” (John 16:8)

“Of sin, because they believe not on me;” (John 16:9)

“Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;” (John 16:10)

“Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (John 16:11)

“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” (John 16:12)

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13)

“He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:14)

And we can read in Hebrews 4:12 about the Power of the Word of God:

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Paul says in Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

A trip through Mississippi or MDOC may seem like a waste of time or a mistake. It may even seem like you are experiencing cruel and unusual punishment. But God knows exactly where you are; and He knows that you needed to be where you are. He knows above all that you needed to be stuck in the MUDD – the Miraculous, Unexpected, Divine Detour – in order to have time to call on Him to get you out and set your feet upon “The Rock,” and also to establish your goings! Amen!

He did it for David. He did it for me. He’ll do it for you!! Amen and Amen!