One More Time

By Michael Pemberton

"And the whole assembly took counsel to keep another seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness." 
- II Chronicles 30:23

 I just figured out that my mother lied to me; she always told me that big boys didn't play in the mud.  Every inch of my body is filthy.  Not just muddy, but dirty.  It's been about 27 days since my last shower and I can smell myself. 

 When we left for this field trip last month it was supposed to be a well-orchestrated event.  But in typical Army fashion, everything fell apart.  Meals were delayed or cancelled, mail made it out about once each week and showers never appeared.  Good thing it's not a real war.  The enemy could smell us coming three miles away. 

 I waited until everybody else was showered and in bed or out drinking, then I took my shower.  I stood under the hot water for nearly an hour, relishing the feeling of layers of toxic waste peeling off. It was Saturday night.

 I can still remember, nearly 19 years later, how the world seemed that Sunday at church.  I felt clean.  The singing lifted my spirits in ways so sublime I can't find words to describe it.  I spent nearly my whole paycheck taking friends out to lunch because I wanted to be with them so badly.  I drank in the surroundings and fellowship like I couldn't get enough.  I wanted it to last forever.

 Every now and again, we need to be reminded of what a joy and privilege it is to serve the Lord.  In our text this week the children of Israel had gone a long time without serving the Lord or celebrating his feasts.  The king has just restored things to their right order and they just celebrated the feast of Passover.  After years of being away from the Lord they had just spent seven days eating and listening to singing and preaching.  And they wanted more.  So they feasted for another seven days while listening to singing and preaching.  Wow!  Just imagine it.  14 days without doing business, or going to school, or taking trips.  Just eating and listening. 

 When was the last time you had joy in your heart about going to church?  Or when was the last time you wished it would never end?  Nowadays we get upset if the preacher goes more than 40 minutes.  Could you imagine 14 days?

 One last thing.  God desired our fellowship so much that he sent his only begotten son to the cross so that we could have that fellowship with him.  It should be exciting to us to give up a few hours of work, sleep and entertainment to spend some time in service to God.  If we had the right attitude it would be.  What would God have to put you through for you to relish serving him?  How about 27 days without a shower?  It worked for me.