TO GOD BE THE GLORY

To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:11 (KJV)

 

            On a hot August night in 1968, the Lord Jesus Christ came into my heart.  Such peace overcame me that night.  I can now say I am gloriously saved!  I am eternally saved because of what Jesus did by washing me with his precious blood. 

            That night was so special.  It was a revival night at Union Hill Baptist Church where my family attended church.  Following the service, a fourteen year old boy came to me (an eleven year old boy) and encouraged me to give my life to Jesus.  I told him that I really wanted to.  You see I really needed that encouragement.  He was a friend that I admired and looked up to.  The Lord had been dealing with me for at least a year.  I had tried to get saved but was not willing to give up my pride.  But that night was different.  My friend’s witness was what I needed to totally give myself to Christ.

            After arriving at home that night, my parents prayed with me and I surrendered to the Lord.  My experience was not like a mighty rushing wind; rather it was more like “Peace, peace, wonderful peace.”  The Lord’s peace did sweep over me and I praise the Lord for it, for I desperately needed that peace.  I needed sleep because conviction and fear had been robbing me of rest.

            At that time we had morning and evening revival services.  The next morning we were at the revival meeting.  When invitation time came I went forward and professed my salvation and joined the church to be baptized.  It was customary at Union Hill, when something grand happened, the church would start singing “To God Be The Glory.”  That is exactly what happened that morning.  It was the most beautiful song I had ever heard.  ‘Til this day it is still a favorite hymn for me.  As I think back on that morning and hear the song being sung in my mind, there is not a single voice that stands out above another.  The church was one voice, one mighty voice.  That hymn was sung in such a way that it pierced the mind and heart of an eleven year old boy.  It has remained in his heart and mind for fifty years.  I do not remember the evangelist or the message of that morning but I remember some of the people and I remember the song.  What happened the night before will never depart from me.  My health may leave me.  My mind may fade. But what God placed in my heart can never be taken away!  To God be the glory!

 

 

 

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Brother Randy Burtram