A History Lesson

We have heard with our ears, O God;

our fathers have told us

what you did in their days,

in days long ago.

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 44:1

 

Have you ever had the privilege of sitting at the foot of a grandparent or great-grandparent telling stories about how God worked in their lives?  I was fortunate to have two sets of grandparents that loved the Lord and were faithful church members as long as they were able to do so.  I remember my Pa-pa Marlowe sharing with me how he found Christ in an old saw-dust arbor one hot August night during the annual revival at Hebron Baptist Church.  His life was changed forever because of that Hot August Night.  I was able to serve that church many years later for two summers as a Youth Minister and I experienced first hand those revivals in that arbor.  I remember hearing from Pa-pa Mitchell the struggles they experienced in building Harmony Baptist Church but yet how God continued to provide.  I can still hear him talk about tithing when they had absolutely nothing because they knew and had experienced the faithfulness of God and wanted to thank Him through their tithes and offerings.  I remember looking at my Granny Mitchell's Bible and asking her why she had all those check marks on each chapter throughout that well used copy.  She would smile and answer "Every time I read a chapter I would check it."  There were multiple check marks on chapter indicating to me that she spent a great deal of time reading God's word and had read the Bible completely over and over.  My Granny Marlowe taught the primary Sunday School every Sunday as long as she was able.  I can't help but wonder how many lives were changed over the many years she planted seeds of God's word on those young hearts.  One day I just may see the glorious fruit of her telling the great stories of the Bible and see just how many lives were changed as a result.

 

This verse certainly reminds me of the benefits of sharing God's word and the stories of His faithfulness over the years.  It certainly seems to be an art that is not prevalent today.  Perhaps we are too busy to sit and listen.  Perhaps we are too much in a hurry to even ask.  The amazing thing is that God still is faithful.  His stories are still changing lives.  There are stories to be told.  Maybe we need to just ask.  Father, help me to hear the stories from your faithful servants who have seen first hand Your glory.  Help me make the time to ask, then to sit and listen!