Psalm 116:12-19 (17)
We had just been given a fairly late model car. Actually I bought it. I was told that if I wanted the car I should add a dollar a month to my missionary giving that year.
I was overwhelmed. After driving a junker the thought of driving something respectable was delectable. After driving a moving repair bill the thought of having a reliable vehicle was enough to make me delirious. I was grateful but as I listened to the man’s story I began to understand what real gratitude meant.
He was grateful for God’s mercy and protection. He had been shot down over Germany during World War II. He survived the plan crash and walked out of the country under the cover of night. He sobbed as he relived the terror, suspense and anxiety. He was a Lutheran by up-bringing. Years later he found our church and during an invitation came and knelt on top of the altar. Our evangelical ways were foreign to him and yet he knew that God had spoken and he owed God all. Now God had spoken again. God told him to give his pastor a car. In gratitude for what God had done for him he knew that giving many cars would never repay his debt of love.
The Psalmist said the he would live for God, pay his vows and even die for God. Giving all as a sacrifice of thanksgiving seems as nothing in comparison to His great gift.
Dr. Gayle Woods
Zech. 14:1-11 (9)
I was spellbound as I looked down at the carnage. There laying in my lap was my father’s book which described in word and picture the events that took place during World War II. It showed how his division in the infantry had hopped from island to island throughout the South Pacific.
In the picture that had my attention lifeless bodies carpeted the battlefield. It looked like it would be difficult to pass through the field without stepping on a dead soldier. As I studied the pictures I came to know that this was the trail left by the conqueror.
One day in our future the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords will say it is enough. Those who have rejected Him and rebelled against Him will know the heat of His fury. Those who have scorned Him will wilt before the scorching scrutiny of His examination. All His enemies will be slain.
Only those who have sworn allegiance to King Jesus and who are pleasing in His sight will be left to praise and glorify His name.
At times it seems that the secular pagan has the Christian in retreat. It seems that we are backing up. It seems that we are forced to delay the progress of the kingdom. It seems that we are not victorious. This is when we must recall that the battle is not yet over. The trumpet of God has not yet sounded. The King has not yet mounted His steed. One day Jesus the Captain of our Salvation will look out before Him to see that all are bowing before Him.
Dr. Gayle Woods
