For today’s Miracle Monday, we’re republishing a testimony from April 29, 2013 submitted by Brother Larry Champine. Enjoy!
In the early 1980s, as a young person in the Church, I frequently visited the saints in Lorain, Ohio. During one visit, the Lorain ministry had gathered the young people together, and, in our presence, informed two of the young brothers from the branch that they had been called to be ordained teachers of the Church. What a great blessing for us all!
As I was driving home the next day, I began to listen to some of my gospel music. A beautiful chorus began to play with the words:
“It shall flow like a river. It shall fall like the rain. It shall rise like the dawning In Glory o’er the land.
For the knowledge of the Lord Shall fill all the earth, And the Spirit of the Lord shall flow.”
As I heard these words, the Spirit of God began to wash over me, and the spirit of the latter day work of the Church began to fill my heart. I then heard the words to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,”
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…”
These two songs started to blend together in my mind. I was overwhelmed by the Spirit of God and the beauty and promise of these words. This powerful blessing did not fade until I arrived home a few hours later.
The next night, I met with my brothers and shared my experience with them. I told them that I felt that the Lord intended these two songs to be sung together at the ordination in the coming weeks. As they listened to my words, that same spirit began to sweep over all of us, and we proceeded to put these two songs together so that we might glorify the Lord.
Two weeks later, my brothers and I traveled to Ohio for the ordination service. I had great anticipation as I wondered just how the Lord would use the song this day.
To my surprise, a brother elder from Michigan walked in. He would go on to open the service that day. After a few words of introduction, this brother began to weep, and under the influence of the Holy Spirit — to my amazement — started to quote the first verse of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,”
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…”
My brothers and I were overcome! God had prepared this theme weeks before. After the brother’s sermon, they called us forward to sing, and I was able to testify of my experience two weeks prior.
Needless to say, it was a tremendous blessing to be part of God’s perfect plan. This experience has been a great strength to me, even after my many years in the gospel. When I rehearse it to others, I feel that same blessing of the Lord. It taught me the importance of seeking the direction of the Spirit in all things…even in song,
“… and the Spirit of the Lord shall flow!”
Why So Many Reruns?
Because Miracle Monday submissions have been on the low side lately, and we’ve had to republish articles from the past. We know that God is constantly working in each of your lives, and we’d love to hear about what He’s done. If you feel prompted to send us an experience from your life, you can by clicking here or emailing us.
This article has undergone ministry review and approval.
What an AWESOME experience!!! I could imagine how blessed you must have been. God works in marvelous ways!! Even though I may have read this before, I so enjoyed reading it again. I never get tired of hearing the blessings God bestows upon everyone.