The Evangelist’s Pen

"God's Mailman"

Who among us doesn't like to see the mailman coming to bring us the day's mail? What he brings may be good news or bad news. The bad news might include such unpleasant things as bills (especially at this time of the year for some), collection notices, anything from the IRS or even news about the death of someone we knew and loved. The good news could be checks or money (who doesn't enjoy receiving money?) , birth announcements, wedding invitations or letters and cards from friends and relatives.

Regardless what he brings though you don't kick him, do you? Or yell at him? Of course you don't! You realize that he's not really responsible for what he delivers. He's not the one who sent you the unpleasant news, nor did he volunteer to bring you such. Besides, he probably wouldn't come back if you mistreated him. And yet many treat their pastors, or any of God's servants who deliver His messages, in just such a way! They get angry, they fume and rant, they refuse to pay their tithes, they stay out of church, they spread gossip about them, shun them, glare at them and generally make life miserable for them. And all the while, all they have done is bring the mail, just as God sent them to do. God's Word is filled with blessings and wonderful promises for those who love and serve Him. But it also contains many warnings and even pronounces curses upon those who refuse to live in obedience to His holy commandments and exhortations. There are many examples in Scripture of those who received the curses and wrath of God because they failed to heed the warnings. God is faithful to warn us. "He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." And so he warns us, by sending His messengers to deliver the mail. I have often said that those who go to Hell, do so in spite of God, and not because of Him. For He places road blocks all along the way to dissuade us from our own folly. You must struggle hard to get past them all before you find yourself plunged into the pit without reparation. He loves us so very much that He will not let us go without a fight.

It is not a joy for the servant of the Lord to bring such a message, but it is necessary and unavoidable, nonetheless. And they are certainly undeserving of the treatment that many of them receive at the hand of those who should instead be very grateful for a servant that is faithful enough to carry out even the tough assignments, not just the easy ones. Just something to think about the next time the Pastor or evangelist brings you a message you find a little difficult to receive.