How Many Harolds ?

Could this have been a “Word of Knowledge?”

Rev. Del Rossin

Several years ago I was one of the speakers at a Lutheran Conference near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Friday evening during the worship time a wonderful chain of events unfolded that demonstrated some marvelous workings of the Holy Spirit. At least that is the way I see it; you can judge for yourself.

As I had my eyes closed during the singing of some of the praise choruses that evening, a picture gently appeared in my mind of a man’s name, “Harold.” In addition to that name being quite prominent in the picture, I also saw the image of an empty pickup truck. Now, I’m not one who thinks that every image in the mind is “from the Lord.” In fact, I am quite cautious when it comes to these matters. I’m also convinced that when God chooses to reveal some things in a supernatural manner, the content is in the arena of “providential guidance,” not doctrinal revelation. But now, back to the story.

Several times throughout that worship time, I would recall the name Harold and the empty pickup truck. I prayed, “Lord, is this you speaking to me; do you want me to speak this ‘word’ to the people at this service?” I certainly did not personally know anyone in that part of Canada named Harold, much less one who had an empty pickup truck.

With some fear and trepidation I stepped up to the microphone at the end of the service and simply shared that I might have received something from the Lord and described the image of the name Harold and the empty pickup truck. Thinking that maybe God wanted to minister to someone with that name and vehicle, I hesitatingly asked, “Is there anyone here tonight named Harold who drives a pickup truck and who would

like us to pray for you?” Dead silence filled the gym; no one responded. “Oh well,” I thought, “at least I stepped out in faith and shared; perhaps this whole thing was just my imagination.”

After what seemed like an eternity, a woman toward the front of the crowd raised her hand saying, “I have a brother whose name is Harold and he drives a pickup truck, and he sure is empty spiritually.” I asked her to come to the podium and I led the five-hundred in attendance in prayer that the Holy Spirit would work saving faith in her brother Harold. Then the service ended and I thought to myself, “Whew, perhaps that was a ‘word of knowledge’ that God used to have us all pray for her brother!”

As I walked away from the front of the gym I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. As I turned around, a man said, “My name is Harold and I pastor a local Lutheran church and, boy, do I need prayer; my life is so empty . . . and, by the way, I drive a pickup truck.” I thought to myself, “Wow, Lord, you’re really getting mileage out of that little picture you gave me!” Needless to say this second Harold and I had a precious time of prayer together and the Holy Spirit gave him new courage and confidence to minister in his congregation. The next day was Saturday and it featured a variety of workshops and other opportunities for the participants to grow in the Word of God.

Then on Sunday, after bringing a greeting in the local Lutheran Church, a woman came up to me with great excitement. She related that she also was at the previous Friday evening worship and had heard me share that “word” about Harold and the empty pickup truck. She related to me that immediately she was convicted of her proud and unloving actions against her Lutheran pastor some years before. In spiritual pride she had left his congregation, even though he had come over to her home to try to convince her to stay. She related that at that meeting, when she turned him away with her proud attitude, he drove away from her home in an empty pickup truck . . . and yes, you guessed it, his name was Harold.

Now on this Sunday morning she told me that she was moved to repentance that previous Friday night and asked God to forgive her for her treatment of this Pastor Harold. Then I could hardly believe what she said happened on Saturday at the conference. Unexpectedly this Pastor Harold showed up at this conference, having come mostly out of curiosity. Who is one of the first people he bumps into? . . . yes, this lady who the night before had repented (and was forgiven) of her actions against him years before. Imagine the scene as she said to him, “Pastor, please forgive me for how I treated you years ago!” They embraced in tears, finally reconciled in the love of Jesus. Later as they attended a workshop together, she had the privilege of praying for Pastor Harold.

So that was the third Harold with an empty pickup truck that this little picture (vision?) blessed. I suppose some could say this was just coincidence. But my judgment is that it could have been the operation of one of the gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Cor. 12 – a “word of knowledge.” Things like that don’t just happen by chance. Certainly the Devil was not at work, for the results brought wholeness and healing according to the will of God. Satan does not do that! Rather, all we can say is, “To God be the glory . . . Lord do it again!”

Rev. Delbert Rossin

1065 Kings Way

Nekoosa, WI 54457