Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2b
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" NKJV
Dwight L. Moody was perhaps the greatest evangelist of the latter part of the 19th Century. On October 8, 1871, Moody was preaching in Chicago a message entitled, "What will you do with Jesus?" His sermon was in two parts over two Sundays and he ended this first part by stating, "I wish you would seriously consider this subject, for next Sunday we'll speak about the cross. Then I'll ask you, 'What will you do with Jesus?'"
The service was ended with a hymn; however, before the completion of the hymn, the roar of fire engines could be heard. The terrible 1871 Chicago fire swept through the city that night and nearly destroyed the entire city. Moody's 2nd part of his sermon on the cross was never preached --- at least not to those who were present on the day of the fire.
D.L. Moody would often say in the years to follow, "I have never since dared to give an audience a week to think of their salvation." Moody often thought of those who were present during the October 8 service who may have died in the fire and never had another opportunity for salvation.
We have lived this type of situation many times on the mission field. The one that stands out is a service we were holding at a Tuberculosis/HIV/AIDS facility. The director was enthusiastic about our coming to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. But cautioned us that everyone of the sixty patients would be invited but don't expect more than 10% to show up. We prayed and knew we were sent here for a purpose.
Two hours later we stood in front of every patient. They showed up --- the Holy Spirit had a plan. The salvation plan presented and everyone came forward to receive Christ. Later the director was shocked that everyone showed up and stated, "All 60 are terminally ill and within 6 months will be dead."
We had a choice to make --- like D. L. Moody said, "I have never since dared to give an audience a week to think of their salvation." We could have been discouraged when the director said only 5 or 6 will show up after traveling 12,000 miles to get there --- but the Holy Spirit prompted us nearly a year before to put this event on HIS schedule.
I often smile when I think of those 60 patients who like the thief on the cross at the last few moments of their lives grabbed on to Jesus.
Prayer: Father help me to never second guess your assignments. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
