On May 13, 2008, many of us prayed with the pastors and men gathered in Oklahoma (a “live prayer time”). When we were asked for requests, I asked for prayer that God provide a pastor for my church that would be an “Old Paths” pastor. Someone asked for the church’s name and specific prayer was made. I searched the transcript on SI but it did not include the time my request was made. In light of the difficulties and needs of the Body, on June 9, the church decided to form an Interim Call Committee in addition to the already formed Call Committee. The interim pastor has preached twice now (we had considerable notice that we would need a new pastor). From my notes, his first message was on the omniscience of God (a phrase from A.W. Pink), that He sees and visits in His mercy (Heb. 4:13, Isa. 40:27-31 and Psm. 103:14).
His second message, today July 27th, touched on Psalm 14 but focused on Psalm 15 because he had never preached on that and could not get an article by John Frame out of his mind. Here is part of what he read from Frame’s article to begin the message.
[i]Sandwiched between the worst one-two punch in our country’s history – the Great Depression and World War II – was a bright spring day in 1938.
March 5, 1938, to be exact.
If ever a nation needed a message of hope and assurance -- it was then. And if ever a nation needed an echo of that same message, it is today!…
That morning, Roosevelt had attended services at St. John’s Episcopal Church seeking divine guidance as head of the nation. Stirred by the sermon he’d heard, at a press conference immediately following, FDR said something – not political – but prophetic.
…he opened the briefing in a way that startled the reporters.
When asked what counsel he could give this weary nation, in that trademark voice, Roosevelt boomed: “I ask that every newspaper in the country print the text of the 15th Psalm. There could be no better lead for your story.”
Those were the president’s words when questioned on the state of our country – and they pointed much deeper to the state of our soul…. But the 15th Psalm? Exactly. [b][u]And that’s what we need today all across our country.”
He actually said “a nation of people who can stand before God” (committed to God not conformed to the world).
Psalm 15 (so you don’t have to look it up)
1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
A.W. Pink, 1938, a president that seeks divine guidance and hears it in a preached message and proclaims it, and someone who cannot avoid preaching these things? [u][b]God is answering prayer even in His provision of an interim pastor!