It was raining outside. All the kids were bummed.
So in the buildings they went. The church was packed, it always is, but this is the
Sabbath after Passover, so there were even more people, even this early. It was about
9:25, church wouldn't start for another 15 minutes. Most people were standing, talking to
their friends, meeting new people, and finding a seat.
A sound rang out, no not one, two, three. Thoughts
flew through my head, backfire, no, not so quick, not so loud. And there 15 feet away on
the other side of the glass doors a man stood there yelling. Anger and confusion poured
from his face, his rifle just wouldn't fire straight. 'Die, Jew, Die' he yelled as he
pushed a lady down. But once again as he pulled the trigger, the barrel shot upward.
As people ran, yelled and ducked for cover, I could
already hear prayer rising up to God. Somebody killed the lights and I went for the door.
I can't let him hurt these people. I might get hurt but I won't die, God told me so. These
children must be protected. I foolishly thought of my training and how quickly I could
disarm him. But God had a better plan.
In the pastor's office, a prayer meeting was
disturbed. Gunfire hitting the walls. Two retired Special Forces personnel thought, take
him out. Broke out the glass and come around behind. But God had a better plan.
Peace was given and flowed through my heart. Don't
go through the doors. I watched him stop. He turned and ran. The cops were here, I heard
the sirens. He went to his van and started to rearm. The police blocked all the exits. He
pulled out his rifle, an AK-47. He shouted at the police I won't give up. The police just
stood their ground. All weapons aimed for the slightest provocation from this madman.
Things could be deadly very quickly.
The police say it could only be a miracle. He
shouted and yelled but he never pointed his gun. Eventually he put it down and laid on the
ground. A message was found under his belt, his reasons for doing this and his last will
and testament, they suppose. The policeman said it made his stomach turn, the vileness and
the hatred, the words that he wrote. He would not even repeat them.
The Hand of God was upon this man. Before him and
behind him protecting his very life. The service began , just a little late. We were happy
no one was hurt. Not a scratch. Every shot went into the air, some hit the roof and some
hit the wall. But no bullets went anywhere near people. People were praising God all the
day. People called in from all over the country, what's going on God told me to pray. Call
after call and testimony after testimony, people spoke on the things God had done that
morning.
"My car broke, it just would work, so I prayed
to God and 5 minutes later it started. That's why I was late."
"My transmission wouldn't go out of park until
I prayed for God's blessings on the day."
"I cut some flowers, one for each of the
children. I was mad , because of the rain. But now forgive me God, and thank You for the
rain."
You see the area where the gunman went off was
where our children play. But because of the rain, they were inside.
Praise after praise we thanked God. His hand was
evident. He went before us and behind us. He is our Shield, our Protector, our Defense.
I thank God daily that I was there. I saw that
God's way is not our way. That He is Sovereign. He has a better way. He can be relied
upon. I saw the foolishness of our efforts, He does things His way. He has no need to use
our 'strength'. Not by might,not by power, but by my Spirit says the LORD. I will never
see my actions the same again. I will never see God the same again. I now know, really
know,what it is to be completely surrounded by God. I know that no matter what I do or try
to do, if I obey and follow Him, I cannot nullify the works of God in me or through me, or
even those in other people. His Plan stands forever.
The church has bonded together closer than any
other group I been in. The worship is truly pure in heart. And the prayer is accompanied
with the confidence of those who have seen the intervention of God.
We pray for that man. Obviously, God spared his
life for a purpose and we intend to pray to see it fulfilled.
