His Favor Through a Stranger

My name is Devin Bennett. Some of you reading this may be familiar with my circumstances but for those who are not, here’s some background for the testimony I’m about to share. In 2003 I was convicted of Capital Murder and sentenced to death. In 2008 I was granted an evidentiary hearing by the Mississippi Supreme Court based on ineffective assistance of counsel in the sentencing phase of my trial. Well, on March 25, 2021, I finally had my evidentiary hearing. However as it was not time for me to begin the next chapter in God’s story, the judge denied my petition for a new sentencing hearing. To everyone that has been praying and showing support for me, know that I am eternally thankful for you. Please continue to pray for God’s will and strength in my life. Remember: a delay is not a denial.

The days following the judge’s denial were very difficult for me. It was like a darkness came over me. I found myself in unfamiliar surroundings, not knowing anyone and not being able to call anyone I did know. What was familiar to me, however, was my trial in 2003 and all that entailed —the loss of my dad and mom in the months following my trial and the fear, guilt, pain, and torment that came with it. All of these things came upon me. I was hurting and afraid, and I was all alone.

For the next 24 hours or so, I experienced fear, pain, anxiety, guilt, shame, regret, and torment to a degree I have not experienced since the days leading up to my conversion in 2013. These thoughts and feelings were so heavy and overwhelming that I found myself turning from side to side while laying on my mat trying, hoping, to get away from them. It wasn’t long after this that I had what I was told was a panic attack.

I need to pause here for a moment. Before I continue, it is important to know that in the months leading up to my evidentiary hearing, I was not doing well. I was struggling mentally, emotionally, and above all, spiritually. I am not attempting to make excuses for my sins, but I would like to share this. The circumstances of my case are very sensitive. In addition to my case, I experienced some trauma as a child, and as I mentioned earlier, I lost both parents shortly after my trial in 2003. I was 22 years old. You’re probably wondering what all this has to do with my evidentiary hearing. Well, as the hearing deals with mitigation evidence, there had to be an investigation, psychological evaluations, and a lot of discussions about all of these matters. All of this, as you can imagine, was mentally and emotionally draining. Needless to say, I did not deal with it well— well or right for that matter— and as a result my fellowship with the Lord was not good. So when I went back to Rankin County in March, I was not doing well mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Now, let’s continue.

After the panic attack, I slept for what seemed like days. When I finally did wake up, I still felt depleted, depressed, and dismayed. I tried talking to God, and although I know He heard me, I was still feeling like I was in the cell all alone. Still, by faith, I continued to cry out to Him, seeking His love and forgiveness, pleading for His favor. Like Jonah, I had been cast out of His sight, yet I would still look to Him. Jonah 2:2-4. Then something very unexpected happened. Another inmate was placed in the cell with me.

Now, having lived alone for the last 18 years, you can imagine some of the thoughts that ran through my head as this stranger in a red and white jumpsuit walks into the cell. One of the thoughts I had was: the officers put this guy in here to attack me in my sleep. You see, I wasn’t supposed to be housed with other inmates because my charge policy stated that I was to be isolated. They knew this, and so, if they put him in here, it can’t be good. Now, I want you to couple all this with what you know about my mental state prior to this stranger being placed in the cell with me. You are correct, dear reader, I was on edge.

So, this stranger is in my cell, and I don’t really know what to think. Not long after he put his mat down, he turned and said, “my name’s Justin.” It’s amazing the comfort familiarity can bring. Many of you reading this know of Justin Underwood. What many of you don’t know, is that he is one of, if not the closest brother and friend I have. He is someone I’m very close to. He is someone very familiar to me, someone I love, trust, and care about very much. Out of all the names this stranger could have had, it had to be the name of my closest brother and friend of the last 18 years. But it was more than this. I have heard people say that there is power in a name, and although I’m fairly certain that what I’m about to tell you is not what they mean, I’m telling you, there was power in this stranger’s name. When he introduced himself, there was a calm that came over me, a trust if you will, that told me this stranger, this man, was alright.

After a few hours of chit chat, he started opening up to me about his circumstances. While we were talking, he starts crying, just breaking down. This stranger, like me, was depleted,
depressed, and dismayed. And like me, he too needed someone to come alongside and help him bear the burdens. So that is exactly what I did. He and I, two strangers, sat there for hours talking and sharing one another’s burdens. As we sat there together talking, crying, praying, and eventually laughing, it became clear that this stranger was the answer to my prayer. That day God poured out His favor on both of us, and we each experienced His love, faithfulness, and forgiveness. We each received what we so desperately needed.

God sent me a stranger in answer to my prayer, in answer to my need. God sent me a stranger, who I learned was also a brother— a brother who needed me as much as I needed him. Yes, God sent me a stranger, dear friend, and His favor came with him.

If it is not already apparent, God’s hand was all over this. But for those still not sure, here’s more evidence. As I said earlier, because of my charge, I was not supposed to be housed with another inmate. But in addition to the policy in Rankin County Jail, later learned from Sgt. Dimetri that the Captain gave specific orders that I was to be kept isolated during my stay there. I also learned that there were almost 9 other cells on the zone they could have put him in, several of which were completely empty. Sgt. Dimetri told me that the officers made a big mistake putting him in the cell with me. When he told me this I couldn’t help but smile and reply, “it wasn’t a mistake,sir. God wanted Justin in the cell, and so that is what happened.” What may be a big mistake by the hands of man may just be a big miracle in the hands of God. God allowed Justin to be put in my cell because that is where God needed him to be. I am a child of the most High God. I believe in His sovereignty, not luck and chance. My God is an “on time God.” Jehovah Jireh, my Provider!

In closing, I want to pray for Justin W, the officers at Rankin County Jail, and all the inmates I was blessed to meet. I pray God’s hand over each of your lives, I pray that God increases your measure of faith and desire for Him, that He overflow you with His love, peace, hope and joy, my dear friends. I pray God’s protection and prosperity over your lives, may He richly bless you and your families in all the ways He knows you need. I thank you Lord for the work You continue to do through the hearts and lives of these men and women. It is in Your precious name I pray Lord Jesus, amen.

Song of the quarter: “Sparrow” by Cary Asbury

1Corinthians 16:23-24
Kingdom Kid, DPC