Seeing, Recognizing, and Expecting
Lloyd Ogilvie, former pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, California, and
former chaplain of the United States Senate,
tells of the time earlier in his life when he was
involved in a serious accident that required a
year-long period of recovery. As he recovered,
bedridden, he couldn’t help but wonder if he
would ever walk again. He began to feel lonely
and became quite depressed, when seemingly “out-
of-the-blue” a letter arrived from an old friend.
This friend had been going through some of her
mother’s belongings after her mother’s death, and
among those belongings she found a photograph her
mother had taken one Sunday morning outside the
church. It was a picture of the church sign. This
particular church always posted the sermon title
on the sign each week, and the sermon title that
week was “God Never Forgets.” Below the title was
the pastor’s name - Lloyd Ogilvie. But when
Ogilvie saw the photograph, he read both lines
together: “God never forgets Lloyd Ogilvie.” It
was exactly what he needed at that moment in his
life, and a reminder that God was with him. He
had, in fact, never been alone! Jesus said, “And
surely I am with you always, even to the end of
the age.” (Matthew 28:20) God’s presence is a
major part of His provision and blessing to those
who call Him Lord.
Brian Wren is a famous composer of modern hymns,
and a Reformed Pastor. He was leading a worship
workshop at a church that ended with communion on
Sunday morning. The worshipers came to the front
of the sanctuary and tore off tiny bits of bread
and daintily dipped them in the cup. Except for
one little girl who came forward. She tore off a
big chunk of bread, gave it a good dunk in the
cup, and stuffed it in her mouth, to the horror
of her parents and the disapproving looks of
church members. But Wren had an entirely
different take on it. He said that she was the
only one who admitted her hunger, and the only
one who expected to be fed.
It’s strange how God’s promises and provision
only satisfy those who “see the signs,” recognize
God’s presence, and expect to be blessed. May we
be among those who see, recognize, and expect!
Amen.
Posted 08:26
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