Calvin Synod Herald, 2014 (115. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-07-01 / 7-8. szám
10 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD floor boys bathroom window into the adjacent alley. We would then chase each other all over Ligonier Borough. It was great fun. Never did a month pass so quickly like a refreshing summer rain shower, and it was time for graduation ceremonies. I remember how many locals would turn out to witness the Hungarian Extravaganza. The brightly colored reds and greens of traditional Hungarian garb were a sight to behold. Many parents and children frolicking about taking pictures, making brief acquaintances, and extending parting best wishes. For me it was a strange feeling. All the fun was over and the new friends left. Ahead of me lay the longest 4-5 weeks of the year, August hot and humid, spent mostly alone entertaining myself or playing with my brother. No more trips to the movies or Ligonier Beach to look forward to. Oh, how we would scream in unified delight when Rev. Alexander Daroczy would place one hand on top of the other and twirl his thumbs to signify a swimming motion. I know it wasn't an easy task to take 50 - 77 children swimming. But after the hectic pace the staff endured in July, those who remained needed a month to recover before the school year children returned. So, like a clock-watcher on a tedious and mundane job, each August was the slowest and longest month of the year. Never did a child look so forward to the start of another school year. But the memories of Hungarian Summer School more than assuaged the tedium of August. If I had to be an orphan with an all Italian name, I am more than grateful that I'm Hungarian on my mother's side. Though I go by "Sal", with all the Hungarian love and goodness bestowed upon me at The Bethlen Home, I am easily in spirit a "László" or an "Árpád". And most salient of all was the instruction of The Gospel of Jesus Christ by dutiful and faithful men and women of God. Most notably the Rt. Rev. Alexander and Irene Daroczy. As a Vietnam Veteran, their diligence in expounding Biblical Truth has sustained me during difficult times. They were heaven-sent vessels. I look forward to thanking them in the Kingdom of God. Salvatore Cosentino was a Bethlen Home resident from 1959 to 1965, when he graduated from high school in Ligonier, served in the military, and now makes his home in the area. (Rt.Rev. Karl K. Ludwig) The Answer is: NO! There are people who want everything in this very moment. Waiting patiently is missing from their life, even from their vocabulary. A similar condition develops in relation with prayer. You might want the Lord to answer your prayer now, and solve your problems, deliver you from your difficult situation. After all sometimes God seems to be so far away that He could not hear you. He might be very busy answering other people’s requests. But you cannot wait. In your opinion God not only has to listen to you, but He has to answer because there is no unanswered prayer. God has to take an exception, because you are very busy. You have to be the next, others could wait for their turn. You have heard frequently that God always has time for you. You wish to see that promise fulfilled now. It is simple: you must have access to the Almighty without any delay. Yes, many times you have experienced waiting in a long line at the grocery store, or in many offices, not speaking about nerve-wracking waiting in the doctor’s office. You have to create for yourself proper order in everyday chaos. You have priorities that should be understood and help you instead of being an irritating obstacle. It happens that when you have an important appointment, you have to sit in your car waiting for the drivers ahead of you to start moving. I do not dare mention the dreaded traffic jams. You had so many bad experiences that you could expect a better treatment from a loving God. When you present your request with proper explanation, you expect a firm "YES" given by God without hesitation. In reality, it does not happen exactly that way. Sometimes the answer to our prayer is not only delayed but simply denied. Our God knows well when to say NO to our prayer request. The earthly fathers love their children and they would sacrifice their own life to save them from life threatening dangers - still they would discipline them when it is needed. Without hate but with sincere love they use their authority to give their children protection and safety. (Watch out crossing the street! - Drive carefully! - Never be late!) With our rebellious nature we do not want to accept "NO" because if our request is denied it might have serious consequences for us. We do not want to understand that God’s NO is always in our best interest. We protest because we think we are and God is not right. Let us open our Bible to find the answer. Abraham asked God for Ishmael to have as the son of promise, but God decided to raise up Isaac (Geneses 17:18) Moses asked God to allow him to cross the Jordan River and lead the people into the Promised Land, but God said NO, and Joshua replaced Moses (Deuteronomy 3:25-28) David prayed earnestly for his child to live, but God took his infant to heaven (II. Samuel 12:23) David wanted to build a magnificent temple for God replacing the tent, but God gave the task to Solomon (I. Chronicles 28:2-61) Jonah and Elisha asked God to let them die, but their request was denied. The demon possessed man having been healed by Jesus wanted to follow Him. Jesus refused his request and instructed him to go and tell to their friends what happened to him. The Apostle Paul prayed many times for healing from thorn of the flesh, but the answer was: "My grace is sufficient for you." (II. Corinth 12:4). When God says NO, we can accept it by faith believing that "Father knows best." God’s refusal of our request could save us from unwise choices or unseen dangers. It is not easy to obey God when you sincerely pray for something and nothing happens. To rebel against God’s will and insist on our demands shows our lack of faith. God knows well in advance the outcome of our insistence and with His loving discipline leads us away from our foolishness. When we ask something from God, we may add with sincere humility: "Not my will but yours be done" (Mate 22:43). Jesus prayed: "My Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from me." His asking was not granted, in order to save repentant sinners including you and me. Rev. Dr. Zoltán Király
