Minutes, maybe seconds... to death

Monday   10-19-15  Home in Modesto

Scripture reading:    Job 5   Psalm 108   Acts 10-11

S=Scripture O=Observation A=Application P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Acts 10:17  Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found the house and stood outside at the gate.  NLT

O.  Key words: “Just then...”  God synchronized a series of events to fit perfectly.  His plan was to open the message of Christ’s salvation to the nations of the world.  Cornelius had the visit of God’s angel... who gave the address where Simon Peter was lodging.  Cornelius acted immediately.  It took until the next day at noon to get there and find the house.  As they are approaching the gate, in a vision God is dealing with the Jewish prejudice of Simon Peter.  “Right now, three men are at your gate.  Do not fear. Go with them.”  It is a story of God’s perfect timing. 

A.  God is always on time.  It was 1984.  Young Bible School graduate, Osvaldo Carnival, and our team had set the starting date.  The 12^th of November  we would begin our five month open air crusade in the small Plaza Primera Junta in the geographical center of Buenos Aires.  Olga, a distraught, heart-broken 28 year old mother had set that same date to end her life by throwing herself and her 8 year old son, Javier, beneath a train.  We began the meeting in spite of a driving rain.  God stopped the rain and we set up our powerful sound system.  Now the sound reached blocks away behind the tall buildings by the railroad tracks where the music was heard by 8 year old Javier.   His mother had him firmly by the hand.  He had no idea that the next rushing commuter train, due any minute, would mean his death.  “Mommy, Mommy, something is going on in the plaza!  Let’s go see what it is!”  “No!  No! We’ve got to stay here!”  But the train was delayed a few minutes, maybe seconds, and Javier insisted.  He brought his mother to the plaza just as I was taking out my little Felipe.  That night Olga found life instead of death... and they both began a new life.  God is always on time!  (Today Olga is a grandmother and Javier, his wife Vivana, and all three kids are following Jesus.)

P.  Lord, You know how much I hate to wait.  It’s ‘sign-in and wait’.  It’s ‘take a number and wait.”  It’s wait in line for everything.  It’s long minutes trapped in grid-locked, horn-honking traffic.  I am so impatient.  You have often heard me complaining, “Lord Jesus, why did you send me to Latin America when I have to wait in line for everything?”  Now Lord Jesus, I am trying to learn how to wait... for You.  I sometimes wonder why You don’t act right now.  But then when I look back upon the incident I see that You had a purpose... and You were always right on time.  Dear Lord, why am I such a slow learner?  I need patience and I need it right now, please.  Amen.

Ralph