 October, 2007 The following story came to me a few months ago and I would like to share it with you this month. One Saturday night a pastor was working late and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife did not answer the phone even though he let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn’t answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she had not answered before, and she said that it hadn’t rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their way. The following week, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he had used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he had called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn’t figure out what he was talking about. Then the man said, “It rang and rang but I didn’t answer.” The pastor then remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he had intended to call his wife. The man then said, “That’s okay. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did I prayed, ‘God, if you’re there, and you don’t want me to do this, give me a sign now.’ At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, ‘Almighty God.’ I was afraid to answer.” The reason why it showed on the man’s caller ID that the call came from “Almighty God” is because the church where the pastor was serving was called Almighty God Tabernacle. I really don’t know if that is a true story or not but it illustrates a powerful truth. God does listen to the cry of our heart and He does answer prayer. Isaiah 49:8 says, “This is what the Lord says: In the time of my favor I WILL ANSWER YOU, and in the day of salvation I WILL HELP YOU. I WILL KEEP YOU and will make you to be a covenant for the people…” God is still powerfully at work in the lives of people who will believe in Him, call on Him, and follow Him. I like what author Vance Havner once said: “The days of Elijah are gone but the God of Elijah lives today.” He went on to say we must not “look to the good old days but to the God of all days.” I hope and pray you are experiencing the power of God’s Spirit at work in your life. As you allow God to daily transform you into the likeness of His Son, Jesus, why not make this prayer from Eugene Peterson, your prayer: “Grant, God, that I may, this day, work obediently, love consistently, continue faithfully, and praise joyfully. And when this day’s tasks are completed, prepare me for tomorrow’s. Amen.
I can’t wait to worship with you each week to give praise to God for all the ways He transforms our lives for His glory. See you Sunday. |