August 1, 2020 (Saturday)
Today is August 1, and it is stirring up old memories of mine about the Lord’s work. When I was pastor in Rockport, I led our church to have a youth-led revival meeting every summer. My choice of the week was nearly always the hottest week of the year, and included today’s date: August 1. The meeting always began on the last Sunday of July and ended on the first Sunday of August. Summertime allowed the visiting youth team to fellowship with our young people, who took them fishing, surfing, boating and whatever activities took advantage of our resort environment. The fellowship gave our evangelistic visitors opportunities of witness.
On Saturday afternoon we gathered at the Big Tree, bringing fried chicken and all the trimmings. Tables and chairs were set up. The kids enjoyed playing ball or doing whatever came to mind, just enjoying each other and the out of doors. It may not have been wise, but in those days we were allowed to have a bonfire and it was around that fire that we had a testimony and worship service that always touched the hearts of the people. I wish that I had kept a record of the young men and women who came our way and led the revival meetings year after year. What little I know about them has been encouraging, as some of them went on to pastor great churches, and others distinguished themselves in the Southern Baptist Convention as well as the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
I attended an association meeting one day that featured a representative of the Baptist General Convention of Texas who presented a special program. He had been one of our youth preachers in those revival meetings I mentioned. I did not recognize him, so when he arose to speak, I was surprised at what he said. He said, “I’m always happy to be at meetings of associations, but especially glad to be here today because one of your pastors is my hero: Charles Fake.” I don’t have an upper plate, but I almost lost it anyway, I was so shocked.
I had enjoyed the youth-led revival meetings and was always thankful for the influence that our visiting youth teams had upon our young people. But it never dawned on me that I might be influencing those visiting teams of young people in some way. The lesson for me is that we are always sowing precious seed, and sometimes we are able to see the results. We must never forget that, as Christians, we have a powerful influence so let us pray that our influence is good.
Looking back over those summers, a hymn comes to mind: Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Words: Thomas O Chisholm
Music: William M. Runyan
1923
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!