Nothing And Something

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, no life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39; KJV).

Fifteen-year-old David Marks, eyes blurred with tears, left home with a dollar in his pocket to preach the gospel.  the "boy preacher" soon created a stir in the American northeast, and he kept going for the next 25 years.  he rode one horse 19,000 miles, preached to thousands, organized churches throughout New England, published books, wrote articles, taught school, and worked diligently in opposition to slavery and in support of foreign missions.  Then he died from sheer exhaustion at age 40.

Just before sunset on May 13, 1828, Marks rode into the little town of Ancaster, Ontario, announcing he would preach in seven minutes in the park.  A small crowd gathered, and he asked if anyone had a text he would like to hear preached.  A man mockingly said, "Nothing!"

Marks immediately began preaching on "nothing." God created the world from ":nothing," he said, God gave us laws in which there is "nothing" unjust.  but, Marks continued, we have broken God's law and there is "nothing" in us to justify us.  There will be "nothing" to comfort sinners in death or hell.  but, while Christians have "nothing" of their own in which to boast, we have Christ.  And in him, we have "nothing" to cause us grief, "nothing" to disturb our peace, and "nothing" to fear in eternity.

Finishing his sermon, Marks mounted his horse and traveled to the next village.  But some time later he returned to Ancaster.   This time a larger group assembled, and the meeting house was opened to him.  David  preached "something" to them.  He said there is "something" above all things.  There is "something" in man designed to live forever, but there is also "something" in us that makes us unhappy.  There is "something" about the gospel that reverses our unhappiness, "something" that gives us hope.  There is "something" that will disturb the impenitent in death, but "something" resided in Christians that the world can't understand, and "something" in eternity to give us everlasting joy.

All that from an uneducated young circuit rider, his mind filled with Scripture and his heart full of Christ, who had "something" to say--and "nothing" to fear.
Morgan, Robert J.: On This Day: 265 Amazing and Inspiring Stories About Saints, Martyrs & Heroes. Electronic ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, c1997, S. May 13

May this story and the above Scripture give you peace and joy this day and forever.  We have "nothing" to fear for we have Jesus and His Word to guide us, explain to us who God is and what God has done and is planning for the future.  We have the "something" that the world needs, the message of reconciliation, Good News.  If a boy of fifteen, uneducated in any seminary can take the Love of God, Jesus to his world; what is stopping us?  Let us engage, the work set before and commanded by Jesus, to take this Good News to the world, wherever that world is for us.

Daily Prayer:

Father we are grateful for the examples of faithful individuals who have courageously responded to Your call to harvest the ripe fields.  Thank You for the fact that nothing can separate us from Your Love.  Today, I submit my life to You, use me as You will.                                                                     Amen