1st Samuel 4:21. “And she named the child Ichabod, saying, the glory is departed from Israel because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband.”
THE ARK OF GOD WAS TAKEN. Is Thy presence still among us or have You left? O God, sometimes I feel we are so bereft That maybe all we have left is ability to follow a form Thinking we still are vital because of the way we have come For a hundred years and more to witness in this town – And that in some way those years will deserve a crown. Is the glory departed because You are not here? Or is there virtue in still gathering in spite of advancing years? We are able to meet and sing our spiritual hymns – We still minister the Word, but seldom do sinners come in. Our responsible giving still helps us maintain A sense of fellowship when the visitors came To give us some teaching, we have something to give – And they travel on with wonder that we still live. But, O God, there are so few and we are dying off – Another leaves today who is not a Goff. Is there something about us smacking of family pride? Are we maintaining a work that has already died? O God, hear my prayer on behalf of this assembly, Give us some evidence as we gather weekly That Thou art still here, we are not left alone Without a “church-messenger” speaking for us at Thy throne. Are there not some believers who live around here Who care for the Word and the Savior’s name they bear? Perhaps some poor sinner is looking for Thee – Send him to us, and help us all to see – God still trusts us to publicly bear His name And now, as for one hundred years, we should continue the same.
“O God, hear my prayer for this little assembly, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”