“And the worst sort of anarchy will prevail---everyone stepping on someone else, neighbors fighting neighbors, youths revolting against authority, criminals sneering at honorable men.” Isaiah 3:5
“Stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.” Ephesians 4:31
“WHAT’CH GONNA DO WHEN THE DEVIL COMES TO TOWN“?
Take a little trip with me this summer morning and travel down to Nashville, TN. There you see sights, as you do in other large cities of humankind, sometimes unbelievable and almost frightening.
As we leave this town of ours, we encounter harsh winds, sheets of rain hitting our windshield like fingers of evil trying to get into our souls. The wind howls and we cannot see through the rain. Thunder clashes about us like an amp gone wild with booming that shakes our very being. We are in a “chaotic” zone, not knowing exactly what to do. Do we continue or do we pull over by the side of road? If we pull over, someone might hit us, if we continue we might be struck by someone or worse yet, strike someone else with our vehicle. The fact remains we must rely on ourselves to keep going--- or do we rely on God?
Let us stop for a moment and think about this situation. I am sure many have been in such weather, be it rain, snow, or sleet, and it brings chaos to our driving. That is when the “devil” can come to “town” and bring fear into our lives. He has a tendency to spread fear like sweet honey on a biscuit. He seems either to make things seem lovelier than they actually are or more worse then they actually are, in our lives.
The answer to chaotic situations is prayer. I truly believe, since I know from actual experience, when I turn my fear and my worries over to God, the chaos goes away and I think much more clearly. I can drive in hazardous situations because I know that whatever happens during the situation I have the Holy Spirit with me. When I totally rely upon myself that is when the ugly little devil raises his sneering head.
Fortunately, we reach Nashville and we are walking along the rain-battered street of Broadway, hear the many different bands playing, and see the hoards of people roaming the streets.
We venture into a bar to hear the music. People from all around the world come to Nashville to hear the Country and Blue Grass music. It does do my heart good to hear the fiddle, with her high pitch swinging to and fro; and the steel guitar, with her soft sliding twang; takes me back in time, before I was born, to what I believe to be my roots.
Music is a gift God gave to us, we can use it with honor and glory celebrating Him and our ancestors, or we can condemn ourselves with it, I suppose.
We find ourselves sitting very close to the door and we are able to watch all the many children of God coming through. One particular man of note, one of God’s loved ones, who I am sure humanity ignores, comes by me. Note this older man appears to be very old, hunch backed, long, stringy brown hair tinged with gray. His shirt and jeans are very clean and his boots appear in good repair. What I notice about him is his gait, determined. He heads to the bar and then shortly leaves. I wonder to myself what his story is? He passes me again as he leaves the bar.
Yes, in this bar people drink, get loud, dance, and hoop and holler, as they seem to enjoy the band. The lead singer is very well received and entertaining.
Shortly my older man comes back in the bar and passes very close to me. I just could not let this man go by without doing something. As he stopped and looked at me and smiled, I could see all of his teeth were gone except his two canine teeth. His teeth roots are showing and the teeth are brown and crooked. However, the smile he gives me is one of warmth and I reach out and touch his hand. As I gaze into his eyes, I ask myself, “Is this Jesus?”
Could this REALLY be Jesus, wow! I know I must do what I feel in my heart. I touch this man’s hand. I hold his hand for a second and then I reach out with my other hand and put it on his arm a little further up from his hand and I pray for him, silently. Time stood still for that moment of prayer and then our touch released and he smiled again with a sparkle in his eye and went on his way. Again, he did not stay very long and I did not see him take a drink anything.
The singer wrote a song “What’ch Gonna Do When The Devil Comes To Town?” and I know his heart, as he is my son, the singer.
Nic starts the song and immediately throws the plastic tip jug with the money and lapel pins, the band sells, out into the crowd. As he does this, he continues to sing and the place fills with “chaos” as people scramble to pick up all the money and the pins. After it is all put back into the jar, with Nic still singing, there is a break in the song. A break is when no words are sung, only the instrumental notes are played; it is during this time Nic falls upon his knees with his long arms stretched above his head, his hands folded in prayer.
I look at the crowd and it is crowded, not a word on anyone’s lips, no dancing, only awe! Could it be that the temptation to steal money or the pins is there for a split moment during the chaos? However, could instead, the sight of a young man, of a rock-a-billy band, praying was enough to cause some to reconsider, just for that moment, their lives? Did they stop and think about their actions, their words, or their lifestyles? And what did they think to see someone praying for them, in public, without spoken words, but praying just the same?
So, yes, throwing the tip jar out in the middle of the bar floor was a very risky little adventure, but Nic had the faith no one would steal the band’s money. He did prove his point, when the devil comes to town he indeed brings us chaos. He offers us money and oh so many “beautiful and exciting” things, but in the end if we partake of what he brings, we are doomed.
Praying for folks in places some Christians will not enter is rather a touchy subject. You need to be lead by the Holy Spirit and have a great amount of faith that you are doing what God calls you to do.
Later that evening I had the joy of the Holy Spirit placed on my heart again as I stood on Broadway at 2:30 A.M. and talked about God. Standing there, I could see the beer bottles and food containers filling up the trashcans along the curbside. I could smell the stench of the mixture, see the litter on the streets and watch as people headed home in the cabs that lined the streets.
While standing there I listened a lot. One young man told me he needed help…..his Mom is very ill…..he has a great love and respect for my son…..he wants to know Jesus better. I give of my heart and what the Holy Spirit places upon it when I speak.
Another middle-aged man also told me he found Jesus at Elvis’ Graceland. Can you imagine God using Elvis to bring someone to him? My, God is amazing in the way He reaches out to folks, isn’t He? We are all different and God knows the way to us, but one thing we must do is give our will back to Him and listen when He speaks to us.
So, do not get caught up in all the chaos the ugly old demon brings, instead turn to God. Stop being mean!!!! Quit quarreling, swearing, drinking too much, doing drugs, cheating, lying, stealing, and every other little thing you think just might be a bit attractive, but is harsh and filthy.
Old man devil uses good look’in stuff to tempt us. When he creeps up behind you, when he comes to “your town,” slap that old ugly demon down with tenderhearted actions, forgiveness of others, giving of yourself to others less fortunate than you, love, fairness, kindness, all the good stuff from God.
Go for it right now, cast out temptation……God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ. AND if you don’t belong to Christ you better get a hustle on it, because I can assure you When The Devil Comes To Town, you WILL be tempted……but oh, it is sooo much better living within the light of Christ.
