Some sights and sounds can be frightening when you first see or hear them. 
Perhaps it’s the unknown that gives us a chill, but the cry of a stray cat in the dark of the night, or the wind blowing through the branches of tree on a dark street can be a little spooky this time of year. The dark, majestic home with turn-of-the-century architecture can be a beautiful sight, but why do we feel anxiety when that same house is shrouded in darkness? It must be the unseen and lack of knowing that makes things ‘scary.’ But not all terrifying things come from what we can’t see or hear.
Situations like these, the spooky house and cries in the night, pale in comparison to how fearful we should be when we step head long into sin and reject the Word of God. In the 10th chapter of the book of Hebrews, the Hebrew writer speaks about judgement and says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Many will live their life unconcerned about eternity. Though some my think about it, many give no mind to life after death.
Once there were two very affluent men who were challenged with living a righteous life, exercising self-control and accepting the judgement to come. One man ‘even believed…’, but both were reluctant to accept Christ. The first man was afraid and told the messenger to, “Go away…” His counterpart, in turn, replied, “Almost you persuade…” These two Roman leaders (Felix and Agrippa) heard what needed to be done to turn from their lives of sin, but wouldn’t move themselves to action.
How many thousands of people today, hear the word of God, believe the message, and yet fail to do what needs to be done to be right with God? Situations abound where someone knows what to do, but refuses to take the necessary steps. ‘It’s not convenient for me…’, ‘I’m comfortable where I am…’ or ‘Just go away…maybe some other time…’ Every excuse is a step farther away from the living God. Each element within the rejection can mean terrifying results for the one who, ‘falls into the hand of the living God.’ Philip Bliss understood that terror and wrote what might have been Governor Felix’s, or King Agrippa’s response to Paul in Acts chapter 24 and 26. For years Christian’s have sung this old spiritual song as an invitation to come to God.
Seems now some soul to say, “Go, Spirit, go Thy way,
Some more convenient day On Thee I’ll call.”
Jesus invites you here, Angels are lingering near
Prayers rise from hearts so dear; O wanderer, come!
“Almost” cannot avail; “Almost” is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail – “Almost,” but lost!
age those who would read these words to ‘go down’ (to the valley or the river) and pray. This week at RRFE we’ll be singing, studying, learning, listening and praying…down in the river.