Have you ever felt like the whole world is against you? Sometimes it feels that way doesn't it. Even if you are right and know you are right, the world often is really not interested in what is right, they only want what they want anyway.
This little story kind of puts things in perspective.
A preacher had been having trouble with his congregation. It seemed they could agree upon nothing, and controversy filled the air until meeting on Sunday itself, became an area of conflict, and unhappiness filled the church. The leaders of the congregation organized a meeting of 10 elders and the preacher. They met in the conference room, sitting about a magnificent mahogany table. One by one the issues were dealt with and on each issue it became more and more apparent that the preacher was a lonely voice in the wilderness.
The leader of the meeting said, "Come, Preacher, enough of this. Let us vote and allow the majority to rule." He passed out the slips of paper, and each man made his mark. The slips were collected and the president said, "You may examine them, Preacher. It is 11 to one against you. We have the majority."
Whereupon the preacher rose to his feet, "So", he said, "You now think because of the vote that you are right and I am wrong. Well, I stand here, and he raised his arms impressively, and call upon our Holy God to give us a sign that I am right and you are wrong."
Suddenly, there came a frightful crack of thunder and a brilliant flash of lightning that struck the mahogany table and cracked it in two. The room was filled with smoke and the elders were hurled to the floor.
But the preacher was untouched, his eyes flashing and a grim smile on his face.
Slowly, the speaker for the elders lifted himself above what was left of the table. His hair was singed, his glasses were hanging from one ear, and his clothing was in disarray. He said, "All right, 11 to two. We still have the majority."
Slowly, the speaker for the elders lifted himself above what was left of the table. His hair was singed, his glasses were hanging from one ear, and his clothing was in disarray. He said, "All right, 11 to two. We still have the majority."
I'm reminded of the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:15-18 writing about a man named Alexander. He wrote to Timothy: "You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Paul said, he stood all alone for the truth of God's word, but he also understood that "the Lord stood" at his side. I can promise you (from experience) that at times, if you stand for truth, for purity, for righteousness, at times it will seem that you stand all alone. Never forget that God is with you always.
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