Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Never abandoned, never alone.”
Our Bible verse for today: “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Psalm 84:10 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “A close relationship with the Lord gives us a sense of security and contentment.”
This morning in my Bible reading I came to Psalm 84:10 and as this verse always does, it reminded me of my old friend Dick DeGrow. Dick was a retired pastor who was a member of the first church I was the pastor of. He served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. Dick and I used to have lunch together every Tuesday. At that time I thought it was because I was such an interesting guy that Dick seemed to enjoy spending time with me. I later realized that in his quiet and subtle way, the old retired pastor was mentoring the young new pastor.
Dick also served as the church custodian. Not because he needed the money, but just because he liked being at the church and he loved being useful in the Lord’s work. There was one morning I was in my office working on a sermon and Dick was there to clean the church. He came by, stuck his head in the office door and asked, “How’s my Pastor this morning? Is there anything I can do for you?” I looked at him and asked, “Dick, why do you do this janitorial work? At your age you don’t need to be doing this.” A soft smile slowly formed on his face and he said “Pastor, I would rather clean the toilets in the house of the Lord than to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.” Then he smiled again and said, “Have a nice day” as he shuffled off to clean the bathrooms.
That scene has stuck with me for all these many years. What I saw was a man who had found his peace and happiness – his sense of fulfillment and satisfaction – in a deep relationship with God. Dick didn’t need a lofty title, a big salary, or an important position in order to feel as if he was involved in something meaningful and significant. All he needed was to walk quietly and humbly with his God – serving Him well and being a blessing to others. For Dick that was a life well spent. I don’t think I have ever known anyone who had a greater sense of the Lord’s presence with him, or a greater sense of peace, contentment, and security, than Dick DeGrow. He was a man who walked closely with the Lord and it showed.
Contentment, fulfillment, a sense of security, and an awareness that the Lord is always with you and will never abandon you, that all grows out of a deep relationship with Him. May your goal in life be to simply walk quietly and humbly with your God, to serve Him well, and to bless others in His name. Do that and over time, you will develop a deep awareness of His presence.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 