A few months ago I went to a small ecclesia to give an exhortation and finished up receiving an exhortation. It will not be easy to forget this one. It only lasted five minutes but it had been in preparation for many years. An exhortation in faith, trust, courage, and brotherly concern. A patient waiting on the Lord, all condensed into those five minutes.
The brother who gave it had been confined to hospital knowing that he had but a few days to live. Prior to visiting him, we were told he made every effort to see that the business of the ecclesia and his home were in order. This service would make it easier for the one who would take up the work where he had left off.
How would we react to such news, and similar circumstances? Would my limited faith and belief stand me in good stead in such an hour? Questions crowding into my mind as we walked down the hospital corridor to his room. It was good to see our brother again. Disappointment, resentment, rejection of his God were not visible. Rather the happy, pleasant smile which had been his trade mark in all the years we had known him. His body had felt and showed the cruel effects of the mark of his mortal existence but his face revealed the divine acquaintance. He was at peace with his God.
In the few moments we had to share with him, he was interested in the morning meeting which we had been active in. How were our children, and the arrangements for our future vacation ? He was concerned about the health of my father.
Reaching out to grasp his hand for the last time in this life, it was obvious that our brother was weak physically, but still a giant in spiritual strength. His store of strength was from the Lord his God, drawn daily from the Bible which lay on the table by his bedside. With the “Comforter” so close, he was able to remain strong, steadfast, until the hour he would see his Lord and Master. Bidding him goodbye, there was no doubt his confidence and hope was that similar to Job’s.
“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold; and not another, though my reins be consumed within me.”
Retracing our steps down the corridor, no questions came into our mind this time — only vows and commitments. Vows that we would never complain again of the minor hardships that become part of our lives from time to time. Resolving to commit our lives to seeking the Lord our God more closely and to strive more earnestly to serve Him.
We point the finger at Israel many times for going back on their word. Having been saved out of the furnace of Egypt, they saw and tasted of the sweetness of the land promised to them. The hope of a new life was within their grasp. What commitment, earnestness went into the vow they made, “All that the Lord hath said we will do.” A few more miles walk, days spent away from that spot and they had turned their backs on the God of their fathers.
It has been a few weeks, a few miles further since we received that forceful exhortation. We have not forgotten it altogether, but some of our actions and thoughts reveal that they have not been influenced by that experience.
Each Sunday morning we visit our elder brother, Jesus Christ, who gave his life that we might have hope of life everlasting. His life and death is an exhortation to us, whose meat and drink was to do the will of his Heavenly Father. Taking of the bread and wine let us renew our vows and commitments so that each day is lived as if the last. Having the faith, trust, and courage as the words of one of our hymns, “to fear the grave as little as our bed.”
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” our brother will rise from his sleep, standing again in the day of resurrection.
What joy for us if we can be united in that day, being invited to become citizens of the Kingdom of God in eternal friendship, born in this life through the name of Jesus when the “ransomed of the Lord who shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One