Proverbs 1:25 "But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my
reproof."
Isaiah 29:20 "For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is
consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off." KJV
I was preaching a revival meeting in a small farming community and the church
was in a town of two or three traffic signals and a population of approximately
two thousand.
I don’t remember his name, but in my mind I can see him as if it occurred
yesterday.
His dad had a small automobile and farm equipment repair business and the two of
them, with one employee stayed busy and made a good living. The business was
located directly across the road from the church. His dad was a drinker and a
womanizer; the son was trying to emulate his father’s life style. His mother was
a humble woman and faithful to the Lord and served to the best of her ability in
the church where I was preaching.
One morning at the beginning of the revival services the pastor and I walked
over to the garage and the pastor asked the pair to come to the services, the
dad answered that he was too busy, but thanked us for asking.
A couple of days later I could see the younger man working on an engine that he
had removed from an auto, because the large door was rolled up to the garage
bay. I felt impressed to walk over and engage him in conversation, having no
idea what a fateful moment this would become.
As I approached I noticed a smirk on his face, I suppose he was at that moment
forming his reply to the question he thought I would put to him.
I chatted with him in the usual way of mentioning the weather and the work he
was performing. Then I told him I would really like for him to visit the service
that night.
He replied with words I cannot relate to you in this story, but I am certain you
can imagine the vilest curse words that unsaved men will use. He informed me
that he was going out drinking with his girl friend and what they were planning
to do that night. It seemed as if he was deliberately trying to offend me and
show me how worldly and sinful he was. I suppose he got a kick out of using such
foul words speaking to a preacher.
I said nothing more than the invitation was always open and turned and walked
away. I could hear him laughing as I crossed back to the pastors home. If he
thought he had offended me, he was wrong, because as soon as he started to spew
out the ungodly filth, I was impressed that he would never get another chance at
becoming a Christian. Arriving back at the pastor’s home I told him of the
experience and of that feeling of fateful doom that I believed was sealed by God
upon that foolish young man.
The revival services lasted for two weeks and we had the greatest outpouring of
Gods grace and blessings I have ever experienced, and then it was time to leave
and return to my own church.
About three or four weeks later the pastor called and this is the story he
related.
Late one night after a bout of drinking that same young man was traveling at
high speed in his automobile and had a one car crash. The coroner said he died
on impact.
I have often wondered, just how many times this same scenario have been played
out down through the years?
Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,
that shall he also reap."
James Avery
jamesaveryfwb@earthlink.net
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