I shall remember the deeds of the Lord;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. Ps. 77:11
This weekend I was talking with neighbors who work for Allen Organ. When I asked how things were going, they said they had so many orders, they weren’t even doing the Summer Shut Down Week, so they wouldn’t be going on vacation. Their answer kind of surprised me with how we’re always hearing about the decline of church attendance and growth. But since most of their orders are from churches around the world, it makes me wonder if the decline is accurate.
But the entire conversation sparked a memory. Back in the late 1990’s the church needed a new organ, but it was cost prohibitive. So we began to seek the Lord for provision and soon it came. A local church was selling its property but the new church didn’t want the electronic Allen Organ and wanted to sell it separately. By God’s design, my old Junior High Music teacher was the organist and he would be showing it to me. The instrument was amazing and when I asked how much they were asking, he said make a bid we’re taking offers! I couldn’t wait to tell the Board and I began praying as how much to offer. The answer kept coming back $5000. When I met with the Board and told them, the Pastor at the time said, “God doesn’t talk to people like that, and that’s still too much!” I tried to tell them it was the deal of the century, but he would not hear it and he overrode the Board and the matter was dropped. I was devastated.
Not so much about the not getting the organ, but being told I didn’t hear from God. My prayer then became, “Lord, I know what you said, and I know you will vindicate me and prove you still speak to people today.” A few weeks later one of the members from the other church came to our service and afterwards she said, “You know it’s a real shame you guys didn’t bid on the organ, we would have given it to you for $5000!” Thank you Jesus! You do still speak to people who listen. I was vindicated and God was glorified
By the way, we did get an Allen organ, a larger one and it was free! God is so good, I not only learned that God does make provision and speaks to people, but even when we think it might be over, for Him it has only just begun. I thank God even for memories that remind us of His faithfulness. If you’ve been hoping for something and either it still hasn’t come, or the opposition has won, hold on and keep praising the Lord and look and listen for Him, your provision is on the way. And it may be better than your original request.
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