However did our Church remain afloat through forty
years, the span of time we’ve spent
Together in this fragile little
boat? You know, so many people came and
went.
Together, we’ve seen fire and we’ve seen rain, and yet, through all this time,
we always prayed.
We shared our times of happiness and
pain. We helped each other through it, and
we stayed.
However did that ark
remain afloat through forty days and forty stormy nights
of heavy rain and waves that rocked
that boat, and all that time, no shoreline in their sights?
Old Noah might have said, “Where could we go? Rain made the waters rise, so
we rose, too.
We had to keep on going with the flow,
as there was nothing else that we could do.”
Elijah finally reached God’s mountaintop; for forty nights, and ev’ry lonely
day,
He’d
walked alone. The prophet did not stop
until, at last, he reached a cave to stay
Till morning’s light. Then, he heard God’s command; God said,
“Elijah, I will pass by you.
So, face Me on this mountain, take
your stand.” The prophet stood; a very
strong wind blew.
It made the boulders on that mountain break,
and yet, the mighty wind was not the LORD.
After the wind, there was a great
earthquake; but even that earthquake was not the LORD.
After the earthquake, then there was a fire,
and yet, even that fire was not the LORD.
There
was, in answer to the heart’s desire, a quiet, gentle voice – that
was the LORD.
It was the
LORD that spoke to Moses when, after he’d lived in Pharaoh’s stately hall
For
forty years, he’d fled to Midian to shepherd forty more before God’s call.
Out of the burning bush, He heard that voice: “Moses,
tell Pharaoh, let my people go.”
Now, every
one of us must make that choice: speak Truth to power, live the Truth you know.
By pillars of both fire and cloud, we’re
led. We thirst and bitter waters are
made sweet.
By
manna from the heavens, we are fed. We conquer every enemy we meet.
“Now, take the rod and strike the rock,” said
God; His word makes water flow abundantly.
We
triumph when we help hold high that rod, but know, “I am the LORD that
healeth thee.’”
When Moses climbed the mount three times to
pray; each time, for forty days and nights, he’d fast.
Each
time, the people wondered if he’d stay; and every time, he wondered if he’d
last.
There will be times when you will want to
quit. Those are the times when you must
learn to stand.
Hold to
the covenant and treasure it –Truth, not a building—that’s the Promised Land.
There may be murmuring, hard work and tears,
but press on till the wilderness is crossed.
And
even if takes full forty years, then, just keep on, for you are never lost.
So, Jesus knew He had a precedent to go into
the desert on His own,
For
forty days, He prayed. He, too, was sent to prove we do not live by bread
alone.
Since we joined hands to walk that extra mile
through dark or light, we’ll meet again, my Dears.
The
LORD has led us on and made worthwhile each forty days, each year, or forty
years.
We walk by faith and cross our own Red Seas and
wildernesses, too, for goodness’ sakes.
Another forty years? Well, we shall see, however hard it is or what it
takes.
“This journey takes too long,” we hear from some, and yet, we learn to
treasure every day.
We are
reminded, “Look how far you’ve come!” and, gratefully, we take the time
to pray.
The Sundays keep on
coming, and, thank God, life just goes on, both simple and sublime.
How have we made it through these
forty years? All I can say is, one day at a time. 
