Today’s Thought “Deciphering Truth” G. Ward

 

But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship,  and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹ And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” Acts 8:26-31

 

I recall my first experiencing salvation. Like some of you, I was totally enthralled with all things involving church life. I would show at every kind of meeting (with most there was no general invitation extended). I, however, would delight myself in the prayer that prefaced each meeting (and that was fine with me). When Sunday morning would arrive, it was unquestionably the best day of the week. There was an older Minister of the gospel there who taught Sunday school each week (an adult class). My attendance altogether was sketchy during some seasons, in that I worked retail and some days called for my presence. This gentleman missed me every time. One Sunday he approached me regarding my inconsistency. Upon my sharing the exactness of my dilemma, particularly in view of my strong desire to never miss, he asked me if he could pray that I would become free to worship every Sunday from that point. I agreed. Needless to say, Sunday work became a thing of the past.

Because this gentleman was elderly, he missed a Sunday (due to illness). Apparently no correspondence was given until before the Sunday school time began. Unfortunately, no one felt confident to teach the class, so a group approached the Pastor to facilitate that morning. Immediately, the Pastor made his ambivalence to teach known, yet the many congregants insisted. He sat there within the classroom and read every word from the periodical, sharing no exposition of his own. Of course my sentiment of “anyone of us could have done that” prevailed itself. I thank Holy God for that experience, in that it allowed me to see the vitality in always being prepared. Like the Ethiopian eunuch many need believers to remain prepared as exemplar servants of HIS… Happy Tuesday!