Grace and Consequence
Tim Melton
2 Samuel 11,12
‘‘There was an evangelist who used to preach around the world. His name was Sammy Tippit. On one trip he was traveling through Communist eastern Europe. Somehow he had gained permission to hold evangelistic services that often met in outdoor sports stadiums. He tells how it would often be raining on the day of the meetings. His group would gather and pray that the rain would stop so that people would come to the services, and often times the rain would stop. It was a testimony to the power and love of God for the people of those countries. On one occasion Mr. Tippit and his group were traveling by bus across the border into another country. The border guard came onto the bus and saw several rugs that Mr. Tippit had purchased from different countries to take home as souvenirs. The guard took notice of one of the rugs and where it was from and demanded that a large tax be paid to take it across the border. The guard then left the bus. It was the rug that Mr. Tippit liked the best. The group discussed the problem and one person suggested that Mr. Tippit switch the tags with a less desirable rug and leave that rug there. They would be deceiving the border guard, but he probably did not have any right to charge this tax anyway. It all got quiet and they thought about it for a moment and then a voice could be heard from the back of the bus, coming from one of the older men in the group. Mr. Tippit, you could switch the tags on the rugs if you would like, and deceive the guard, but I bet the next time we pray for the rain to stop, it doesn’t.’’
This is a story of blessing and obedience. A story of grace and consequence. In the Bible we find a similar story.
In the Old Testament we read an extraordinary story of a man named David from the town of Bethlehem. He began life as a shepherd boy, the youngest of 8 sons. One evening, when he was a teenager, Samuel, the prophet of Israel came to David’s simple home, byp ...
Tim Melton
2 Samuel 11,12
‘‘There was an evangelist who used to preach around the world. His name was Sammy Tippit. On one trip he was traveling through Communist eastern Europe. Somehow he had gained permission to hold evangelistic services that often met in outdoor sports stadiums. He tells how it would often be raining on the day of the meetings. His group would gather and pray that the rain would stop so that people would come to the services, and often times the rain would stop. It was a testimony to the power and love of God for the people of those countries. On one occasion Mr. Tippit and his group were traveling by bus across the border into another country. The border guard came onto the bus and saw several rugs that Mr. Tippit had purchased from different countries to take home as souvenirs. The guard took notice of one of the rugs and where it was from and demanded that a large tax be paid to take it across the border. The guard then left the bus. It was the rug that Mr. Tippit liked the best. The group discussed the problem and one person suggested that Mr. Tippit switch the tags with a less desirable rug and leave that rug there. They would be deceiving the border guard, but he probably did not have any right to charge this tax anyway. It all got quiet and they thought about it for a moment and then a voice could be heard from the back of the bus, coming from one of the older men in the group. Mr. Tippit, you could switch the tags on the rugs if you would like, and deceive the guard, but I bet the next time we pray for the rain to stop, it doesn’t.’’
This is a story of blessing and obedience. A story of grace and consequence. In the Bible we find a similar story.
In the Old Testament we read an extraordinary story of a man named David from the town of Bethlehem. He began life as a shepherd boy, the youngest of 8 sons. One evening, when he was a teenager, Samuel, the prophet of Israel came to David’s simple home, byp ...
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