As the sun began to set on a warm Thursday evening, the sound of a truck pulling up at the courtyard of Reverence Ministries drew David and Sika from inside the auditorium to the entrance.
“Oh, bless the Lord, they’re here!” David sighed in relief.
A team of volunteers, their faces resolute with determination, greeted the couple before they began unloading brand-new chairs to replace the ones destroyed during the senseless act of vandalism.
In the days that followed the vandalism at the church auditorium, a spirit of resilience swept through the congregation. Members of the church, upon hearing of what had happened, rallied together, determined to restore the sanctity of their sacred space. Money was donated to replace the chairs and the instruments, and those who had the time came around to help tidy up the auditorium.
As the search for the hooligans behind the shameless act continued, many members of the general public who heard of what happened sent in donations as well. They were as disgusted by the actions of these thugs as the next man, and were more than ready to help restore the temple of God as quickly as possible, with one wealthy Christian named Kwasi Ansah buying brand new chairs for the reverend and his wife.
David turned to Sika, joy all over his face. “Honey, isn’t it incredible to see the support we’ve received from the members and some other people? God truly works through the hearts of His people.”
She nodded, looking at him with as much glee. “Uh-huh. Man can carry out his fiendish plans, but the house of God can never be brought aground, that’s for sure.”
“Amen to that. Let’s go help out with the arrangement of these chairs.”
“Reverend!”
They turned to see Ludwig running towards them excitedly. In his hands, he clutched an envelope, his eyes wide with surprise.
“Reverend!” Ludwig called out, breathless, as he approached. “This just arrived via courier. It’s a cheque for the restoration fund. And it’s pretty hefty.”
“Wow, that’s awesome!” David gasped, receiving the envelope from him. “Chale, God is really showing us levels ooo…”
As he opened the envelope, however, something happened.
An unexpected wave of darkness washed over him. The air seemed to thicken, and an unease settled in the pit of his stomach.
David frowned, the sudden discomfort too piercing to ignore. Something about this donation didn’t sit right with his spirit.
Sika, sensing the change in David’s demeanor, watched with concern as he hesitated. David’s brow furrowed, and his gaze intensified as if wrestling with an internal struggle.
In that instant, it was obvious that this was not money to be accepted.
“Ludwig,” David began, his voice firm, “take this back to the courier rider. Tell him we cannot accept this money.”
Ludwig looked perplexed, his eyes darting between David and the cheque. “But… but Rev, this is a serious donation. It could really help with the restoration.”
David, however, shook his head, his conviction unwavering. “There’s something not right about this, Ludwig. We can’t accept it. Please, return it and let the sender know we appreciate their intention, but we cannot take this money.”
Ludwig, though puzzled, nodded in compliance. He knew David too well to know that this was a spiritual matter. He retraced his steps, making his way back towards the courtyard entrance to return the cheque. As he disappeared from view, Sika turned to David, concern etched on her face.
“It’s tainted?” she asked.
He nodded. “It’s as if a darkness came over me when I held that cheque. Something in my spirit told me it wasn’t right. I have a hunch it’s from him.”
Sika’s face took on a look of surprise, then shock. “Wait… so like, he’s trying to say he can break down this church and build it up if he wants to?”
David nodded. “You’re right in tune with the Spirit, love. That’s what it is.”
Sika sighed and shook her head, her hands on her hips. “This man is playing with fire. He better realize it’s the All-Consuming Fire he’s playing games with ooo, not you, and that won’t end well with him. At all.”
“Hmmmm. Sika, there’s not much I have to say about him. Let’s just focus on what we need to do. Let’s go in and help with the arrangement of the chairs.”
Sika sighed, then nodded. “Alright, my dear husband. Let’s go in.”
***
He has given me victory
I will lift Him higher
Jehovah, I will lift Him higher
This Sunday morning was a different kind of Sunday morning in Reverence Ministries. Praises was ongoing, and the level of excitement and joy was at fever pitch.
Delighted at how quickly they had managed to restore their church auditorium, the congregation was in high spirits, giving God all the glory for helping them. Everyone sang and danced their hearts out in gratitude to the One who had made it possible.
The joy was palpable in the atmosphere, and carried on as announcements were made and ministrations were ministered.
Then, as David mounted the stage to begin his sermon for the day, the cheers and shouts of joy went through the roof. All he could do was smile.
He was as grateful as they were. The enemies had been put to shame, and their God had given them the victory.
Once the noise died down, he began to speak. “Praises be unto our God! Hallelujah! We serve a faithful God! People of God, before I start with the Word, there’s something very important I need to do. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the assistance and the work you’ve put in to restore this auditorium back to some semblance of decency. So many of you took time out of your busy schedules to help put this place in order, and I couldn’t thank you enough.”
Everyone clapped and cheered enthusiastically.
“I’ve been here all week, since the damage was found, and the way so many of you came around, gave money, helped to tidy up, straightened the place… I couldn’t be more proud of you. And as your pastor, I am mandated by heaven to bless you for what you’ve done. So in the name of Jesus…”
The congregation rose to their feet, ready to receive the blessings.
“… may the God who is not unjust to forget your labour of love, remember you in your time of need! May He remember you in your time of need! In the name of Jesus!”
“AMEN!” the congregation screamed.
“May everything that you lost by virtue of the help you rendered be restored unto you tenfold! Fiftyfold! Hundredfold! In the name of Jesus!”
“AMEN!”
“And may Jehovah Jireh supply every need of yours! In the name of Jesus Christ! Whatever your need may be, whether it is a job, marriage, children, visa… whatever it is you need, may Jireh supply you with those needs! In the name of Jesus!”
“AMEN!”
“God bless you all. You can take your seats.”
More applause as they took their seats.
Taking in a deep breath, David looked at the camera in front of him as usual. “And for the people that decided to commit this dastardly act. The mastermind and the hooligans that decided to get up and desecrate the temple of the Lord for whatever reason. Let me tell you right now, it is not me that you’re spitting at, it is Elohim you’re doing that to. And all I have for you is this scripture: Acts chapter 26 verse 14.”
The new LED screen displayed the scripture: And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.
Pointing at the screen, he went on. “You know what goads means? A very sharp stick that they used in those days to get an ox to move in a certain direction. A sharp stick. It’s not just hard to do that, it’s madness. Will anybody here see the sharp end of a knife and kick against it?”
“Noooo!” the congregation replied.
David nodded, then spoke slowly. “To the people behind what happened here last week, all I can tell you is this: you only hurt yourself by attacking God… Don’t do it… Else when the All-Consuming Fire rises in judgment… it won’t be pretty. That’s all I have to say.”
A thunderous applause erupted from the congregation, fully in agreement with all their man of God had just spoken.
David then turned to the Bible on the podium. “Alright, now let’s hear what the Lord has to say to His people this beautiful morning. Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, we bless Your name and we give You all the praise…”
***
“Stupid man! Very stupid man!” Roger sneered, watching the video as usual. He had heard of the proclamations from his sources before receiving it, and after watching it, was only the more infuriated.
Already quite irritated at how things had turned around so quickly for the church, this message made it clear that David had not been silenced by this at all. In fact, it was obvious he was now trying to frighten Roger by claiming it was God whose toes had been stepped on.
The fact that his secret cheque under a different name had somehow been rejected also hit him hard in the gut. Despite his irritation, he decided to send that money to prove that he had power over David. So when that courier returned with the cheque and the message, he was even more livid, especially as the courier swore on his life that he did not reveal who it was from.
But forget all that. This man had another thing coming if he thought using the concept of God’s judgment would scare him in any way.
Downing the rest of his whisky, he slammed the glass down on the dining table and rose to his feet, a determined gleam in his eye.
“He thinks hiding behind those Bible quotes will scare me or something? He’s joking! He doesn’t know what’s going on. You thought I was kidding when I said I’ll drag you to hell. Be there. I’m just getting warmed up!”
Smh. Roger really is digging a hole for himself with all this nonsense. He doesn’t know Who he’s messing with…
