Thought of the week: Ponder carefully and obey the warning of the scriptures
Sir Winston Churchill is one of the best known of all British Prime Ministers. It was he who led Britain to victory during the Second World War, and he was the last commoner to be honoured with a state funeral. As a result, he has often come at the top of the poll of ‘the Greatest Britons.’
Churchill had a love for words, especially puns, and he was truly one of the great orators of all time. It was his rousing speeches that did much to raise the morale of our troops and guide the nation during the dark days of the Second World War.
It was the distinguished American journalist and war correspondent Edward R. Murrow, who said of Churchill’s wartime speeches: "He mobilised the English language and sent it into battle".
It can be both interesting and amusing to read the statements that Churchill made. His sharp mind and gift of giving a quick reply, often a humorous reply, was frequently used to silence his political opponents and critics. But on some occasions, he went too far in what he said.
On May 13, 1940, shortly after he became Prime Minister for the first time, he was giving a speech in the House of Commons when he said: “I am ready to meet my Maker – but whether He is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter!”
There is a certain amount of arrogance, egotism and even blasphemy in that statement. Going out into eternity to meet God is not a matter to joke about.
We can be absolutely sure that God is ready to meet every one of us, regardless of what position we hold, even a great British Prime Minister. But whether at the end of his long-life Churchill was truly prepared to meet his Maker, eternity alone will reveal.
But there is no doubt that for all of us, whatever your rank may be, that being ready to meet your Maker is vital. It is the most important thing in life. In fact, it is the main reason for your life on earth, you are here to prepare for eternity.
There is a God, one day you will meet Him, maybe sooner than you realise, and the essential issue in life for you is to be ready for that Great Day.
The simple truth of the Gospel is this, if you have received Jesus Christ by faith alone as your Saviour, then you are ready to meet your Maker, but if you continue to reject Him then you are still not ready!
Let me encourage you to ponder carefully, and obey today the warning of the Scriptures; ‘Prepare to meet thy God’ (Amos 4:12).