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Listen while you read: "Lord Who At Cana's Wedding Feast"1 (Lyrics) |
Something happened, and this potential devotional was stored a few years ago in "My Documents" on my computer, and was just re-discovered now. Perhaps it was for such a time as this!
An upsetting experience happened in the local Anglican church one Sunday morning. A boisterous man entered the sanctuary and interrupted the service of worship. He began to march up the centre aisle carrying a huge banner with an inappropriate and blasphemous message on it and started shouting. Some men wrestled the sign away from him, but he continued to shout through the reading of the Scriptures. Such shouting continued until it was time for the sermon, but the minister just stood there, so the supply organist (my husband) began to play the introduction to The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord — unannounced and unplanned, but undoubtedly inspired! With the background of the mighty full organ, the congregation immediately rose and sang with such gusto and conviction as I've never heard in that church before! I couldn't help but wonder what was in the backpack that he wore. This is as close as I've ever experienced to an uncomfortable circumstance — to say the least! Talk about prayer — on the spot for the visitor and for the Lord to be honoured.
As I sat in the back pew, praying, praising, and observing the escalating scene, the thought flashed through my mind that any or many of us might be taken to meet our Lord on the spot. In the Scriptures, we are warned to be ready to meet the Lord without a moment's notice.
Matthew 24:42-44 – Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (NKJV)
How fitting that God's people were found faithful in praising Him in the midst of a startling event.
Something to ponder: Are you ready? If not, what are you going to do about it now? Don't delay, for one never knows!
Prayer: Dear all-knowing heavenly Father, we thank You that our lives are in Your hands. Thank You for experiences that alert us that we are finite beings, that our days are numbered, and that we need to be ready to meet You at any time. Thank You for Your great love which surrounds us. Help us to seek Your face daily and to honour You at all times and in all places, so that we may be found ready at any time to go into Your nearer presence. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen!
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Thanks, Mary Lou, for sharing.
Great reminder, Mary-Lou. Thank you and God bless!
Thanks for a good and thoughtful word today.
Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this devotional with us. May our witness to Christ’s redeeming love be sunshine for some confused and weary soul. Blessings.
Yes, Mary Lou, without a doubt in my mind, this was exactly the message I needed today. Thank you for following God’s inspiration and writing it.
Thank you for your interesting testimony and witness that good music can change us. Did the person calmly leave? It is good to be reminded that we need to be ready.
Thank you, Mary Lou, for sharing this with us today. Yes, one never knows when our faith could be challenged. Oh, that Church members would respond, as yours did that day when faced with a challenge!
Blessings on your day today.
Hello Mary-Lou,
Thank you for this devotional today. Although you say it was written a time ago it is still very pertinent today. Yes, we definitely need be ready for happenings in life at all times and ever-rooted in faith of the Lord’s grace and mercy in our lives.
Blessings to you for your writing.
(B.C.)
Dear Mary Lou:
Thank you so much for sharing with us this amazing and frightening experience. Such bravery was shown to the Lord! I am impressed. Many others would have tried to leave the church.
Again, I thank you for this devotional and I pray I will be ready to glorify our Lord always.
May The Lord bless you as you continue to serve Him.
Thanks, Mary Lou, for this encouraging testimony.
Interesting story.
One wonders how the protester took it. Did he join in?? Leave? Sit down?
Dear Mary Lou,
I’m glad the organist played when he did, and the congregation praised God with the words you quoted. You don’t tell in detail what the deranged man did, but I pray that he will know that the Lord is HIS Savior forever.
Did the church have further contact with the man?
Let’s pray for him.
Hi Mary Lou.
Wow, l believe that God had a reason for keeping this devotional in your documents folder all this time, and only released it recently. What an insightful message about being ready to go home to our Heavenly Father!
Blessings.
Great message! Thank you.