God is present where two or
more are gathered in His name. So imagine the atmosphere in Lecture
Theatre 9A at the University of Technology when more than 60 persons
assembled for the Advent Fellowship all-night prayer and fasting service
on February 24.
Themed “Raising the Standard”,
the essence of the service called to remembrance the words of Peter
found in chapter 2:9 of his first epistle: “But ye are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…called…out
of darkness into his marvellous light.”
Lloyd Robinson, elder from
the Goldsmith Villa Seventh-day Adventist Church, was the first speaker
of the night. Through an interesting analogy (inspired by Jesus’ words
in Matthew 5:13, 14), Elder Robinson compelled us to examine our Christian
walk, using the lights of a vehicle as the basis for comparison. We
are one of the following types of Christians: Park light – shining
our light into the world but not really going anywhere; Indicator light
– signalling one direction but going another; Reverse light - ; Head
light – shedding light so that others may see the True Light.
The precedence was set. And
as the night progressed into morning, each presentation by fellow Adfel
members further encouraged us to raise our standard of Christian living.
Messages on temperance, God’s standard, being doers of the Word, and
the youth and the apostasy all provided relevant insight and instruction
for those in attendance.
Along with messages from the
Word came messages from the heart. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they
overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
Testimonies about overcoming trials at school, financial deliverance,
physical healing and much more served as reminders of the goodness of
God and only strengthened our resolve to aim high for Him.
Although many were tired by
the close of the service at 6 o’clock the following morning, the spiritual
buoyancy experienced far outweighed physical exhaustion. And with resolute
minds, the commitment was made to raise the standard in order that our
“light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works and
glorify [our] Father which is in heaven.”