GLORIFYING GOD

Noah’s Day To A Pastor

 Pastor Earl Cannon of Chicago’s Vernon Baptist Church expected 15,000 to march in his nondenominational “happy day” parade in honor of God, but he and 214 policemen assigned to the activity were the only ones who showed up, making him feel “like Noah.”

—Christianity Today

Legend Of Origin Of Praise

 There is an old Jewish legend which says that, after God had created the world, He called the angels to Him and asked them what they thought of it; and one of them said, “One thing is lacking: the sound of praise to the Creator.” So God created music, and it was heard in the whisper of the wind, and in the song of the birds; and to man also was given the gift of song. And all down the ages this gift of song has indeed proved a blessing to multitudes of souls.

—Maritime Baptist

Civil War’s End

 At the end of the Civil War, when the news of Appomattox came, the secretary of war, Edwin M. Stanton, caused to be displayed from the dome of the Capitol a transparency on which were inscribed these words from Psalm 118: “This is the Lord’s doing: it is marvelous in our eyes” (v. 23).

Columbus’ Conviction

 When on October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus took possession of one of the Bahama Islands, he believed he was fulfilling prophecy. It is not perhaps widely known that the “admiral of the oceans” discovered America believing he was under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, not the light of the stars. In 1502 he wrote to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella: “In the carrying out of this enterprise of the Indies, neither reason nor mathematics nor maps were any use to me: fully accomplished were the words of Isaiah” (referring to the gathering of the remnant of Israel in the last days).

—Christianity Today

Don’t Thank Me

 In a concert in Chicago, Harry Lauder, Scottish singer and songwriter, sang to an overflowing audience. At the conclusion, the audience stood en masse, and applauded uproariously. After the applause subsided, the audience said in unison, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

 Showing splendid humility, Lauder replied, “Don’t thank me! Thank the good God who put the songs in my heart!”

Hallelujah Chorus’ Custom

 On March 23, 1743, when “The Messiah” was first performed in London, the king was present in the great audience. It is reported that all were so deeply moved by the “Hallelujah Chorus” that with the impressive words, “For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,” the whole audience, including the king sprang to its feet, and remained standing through the entire chorus. From that time to this it has always been the custom to stand during the chorus whenever it is performed. With spontaneous joy the soul stands to salute Him who “cometh in the name of the Lord.” He is “King of kings, and Lord of lords” and to Him we pledge allegiance.

—Today

Return to "Illustrations Plus" MENU