A Graphic Illustration of the Seventh Plague

Hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble? Job 38:22, 23.
Byron Belden, Sarah Belden, and Sister May Lacey accompanied me to my appointment at Prospect [Australia]. As we left the [meeting] house we saw a storm coming . . . so portentous that we drove fast with our colts as we dared. When we were almost home the fury of the gale struck. Large hailstones began to fall–as large as a hen’s egg. . . . [They] frightened the young horse, for they were striking her with terrible force.
I said, “Byron, get out at once. . . . Go to her head; talk to her. Let the horses know it is not you that are beating them.” He jumped out at this suggestion. I said, “May Lacey and Sarah, get out.” They did. . . . I got out next, May and Sarah helping me. . . . The wind was blowing with such force that hats were taken from our heads and cushions were blown from the wagon. The heavy carriage cushions, umbrellas, and heavy carriage robes were blown into the field, and were flying in every direction. . . .
What a scene! Sister Belden, May Lacey, and I reached the house hatless. . . . Byron was with the poor terror-stricken new horse. . . . We could only lift up our hearts to God for His help. . . .
This is the sharpest experience I have ever had in a carriage in a storm. . . . I thought of the day when the judgment of God would be poured out upon the world, when blackness and horrible darkness would clothe the heavens as sackcloth of hair. . . . My imagination anticipated what it must be in that period when the Lord’s mighty voice shall give commission to His angels, “Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.” . . .
Revelation 6 and 7 are full of meaning. Terrible are the judgments of God revealed. The seven angels stood before God to receive their commission. To them were given seven trumpets. The Lord was going forth to punish the inhabitants of the earth. . . .
When the plagues of God shall come upon the earth hail will fall upon the wicked about the weight of a talent.
Maranatha p. 284
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Prayer Requests
—— There is a job that would be perfect for me in another state where my wife would like us to relocate. I called and got the information of the person I need to talk to. Please pray that God will help me to get in contact with the person and be hired if it is God’s will. M
—–Please pray for Larry who is not been feeling well and has been sent to a specialist by his doctor. Pray that there is nothing seriously wrong. Eileen
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Dear Friends
Ronnie Jay has always had an interest in insects of all kinds. All of his life, he has had a special ability with handling them. I first noticed this “talent” when he was two. One day while I was sitting on the steps watching him playing, he toddled over to me with a big smile on his face. “I’ve got a surprise for you, Mommie, open your hand and close your eyes.” he said.
Innocently, I did. My little son placed a bee in it! Feeling something alive in my hand, I immediately gasped and dropped “Mr. Bee”! The creature flew off without stinging either of us. That was a relief, as I’m allergic to them.
I wondered how my son had been able to pick up that bee without getting stung. I didn’t have long to find out. Another bee flew by. Ronnie Jay reached up with lightening speed and picked it out of the air. Docilely, the honey bee crawled around his hand and up his arm. Fascinated, I watched them interact. Finally, the bee flew away with no harm to either of them.
Many times after that, Ronnie Jay would come to me with something in his closed hand and say, “I’ve got a surprise for you, Mommie. Open your hand and close your eyes.” But I had learned my lesson. I always made my son show me the “surprise” that he had planned for me. Often, I was very glad that I did for there would be a bee sitting there as happy as could be.
James tells us of something that stings worse than a bee. He says, “every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” James 3:7, 8, 2-6 David observed that the “tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.” Ps 52:2 So true. How careful we must be in attitude and word, for not only are we, ourselves, affected by them; but more importantly, those around us are affected. By our words we can change the course of their life either for good or for ill. By our words, we can hurt someone far more painfully than can a stinging bee. By our words, we can leave scars that will never go away.
May we remember that what we offer those around us will have a life-long affect upon them. May we determine to “keep [our] tongue from evil, and [our] lips from speaking guile.” Ps 34:13 May our daily prayer be, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing.” 141:3,4
Rose