If The Bugle Is Expected, A Flute Will Not Do

As I brought the message to a conclusion, I emphasised that the men must leave to God whom He would revive. “Will you pray for still revival if God is pleased to revive the Pentecostals?” I challenged. “What if He should revive the Lutherans? Or the Episcopalians? Will you still pray for revival?” I challenged.

It was a blessed session and a number of those young preacher boys indicated that they would commit themselves to praying for revival. They would selflessly seek God’s glory and not their own glory. God had blessed the assembly, having met with us. However, not everyone was pleased with the message I had delivered.

As I was moving toward the exit to leave the school, the Dean of Students confronted me. He was obviously somewhat agitated. He fairly shouted with his mouth inches from my face, “Young man, if you’re going to preach like John the Baptist, you’d better get used to eating what John ate.”

Without thinking about my response, I shot back, “He didn’t starve to death.”

Why would a leader such as that Dean of Students not want his charges to look expectantly for God’s blessing? Why would he be angered by a call for God’s mercy and grace, even if His goodness should be revealed within other communions? What is the offense?

I suggest that the man I referenced had lost clarity of vision for the service he was appointed to render. It is a great tragedy to recognise that when we lose sight of what we are responsible to do, our loss of clarity has an impact in the lives of those about us. What we see has an impact on others; and if our vision is hazy, it will influence others in a negative fashion. The leader that no longer remains focused on the goal is liable to lead astray those who follow. Tragically, many of the saints of the Lord have shifted their gaze.

As he gave instructions to the nation, at the prompting of the Spirit of God, Moses made a most insightful provision for the warriors when preparing for war. He wrote, “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit. And is there any man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.’ And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.’ And when the officers have finished speaking to the people, then commanders shall be appointed at the head of the people” [DEUTERONOMY 20:1-9].