Rise Up O Men of God

Yesterday morning in my quiet time with the Lord before church I prayed, “Lord, your word says in Psalm 147:5, ‘Great is our Lord, and of great power.’ I long to see, not what man can do today, but what You can do. Help us not to come to church this morning and practice formality and ritualism. We want to see You at work…” I had no idea how God would answer my prayer, but I just trusted that He would.

The service began with the sweetness of Sunday school and the study of Psalms 146-150. We were reminded “let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 As we sang our hearts praised the Lord. A baby dedication followed with the parents and grandparents being reminded to be godly examples for this little baby boy to follow. It was a sweet, tender time as this little one was prayed for and given to the Lord. As the preaching time approached my husband put up on the screen the opening slide for his message. The slide read: Rise Up O Men of God. I Timothy 1:7 His heart was overflowing with the joy of the morning…he stood and looked out over the quiet congregation. Then a man close to the front spoke up (an unusual occurrence without being prompted).

“Pastor, may I say something?”
“Certainly.”
“That screen says, Rise Up O Men of God, and I just have to stand up and say that the Lord saved me and I praise him for it.”

Another man stood after him.
“I have to stand with my brother and give testimony of what God’s done in my life…”

When it was finished fifteen men had stood to testify of God’s love and grace in their lives! The regular preaching time never happened because a great God moved in with His power. It was something like I have never experienced before, but hope to witness again the next time we meet in God’s house. The service ended with the men gathering down at the altar to pray. What a precious service it was! If you missed it, I’m sorry for you!

In the service last night the message reminded us of our response to praise – “teach me Lord.” What does the Lord want to teach me as a result of the sweet time of praising His name yesterday morning? One thing I’ve thought a lot about is that as these godly men have a desire to rise up for God I have a responsibility as a woman.

It is my responsibility (and yours) to back up my own husband in His desire to rise up for the Lord. It’s odd, but sometimes we wives pray for our husbands to take the lead, then when they attempt to do that we buck them. As our husband desires to be godly men we need to be behind them 100%. Say “yes” when he asks us to participate with him in ministry. Be willing to serve alongside him, and obey his desires for your family. Yes, I said “obey.” If he wants to make a change in the child training, do it. If he wants to go early for prayer time, go. If he wants to refrain from a particular worldly activity to protect your family, don’t argue – obey.

It is my responsibility to pray for my husband and the men of our church to be courageous and rise up for God. In the days ahead it may take great courage to stand for the Lord. Pray for their courage. Pray for their steadfastness. Pray for their purity.

Praise the Lord for His great power and for the wonderful work He did yesterday. I am looking for His working around me today, and I am desirous to respond to my husband as He submits to our Great God.