A Promise from God ~
How and where do I begin? Our late founder Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaux, of the Gospel Spreading Church of God, was lead of God to assemble His people together for a sanctified fast, every three months for ten days. The scriptures used during these ten days of fasting and praying are found in the Book of Joel. (Joel 2:15-18, 28 & 29)
This book focuses its’ prophetic judgment on the southern kingdom of Judah. With frequent references to Zion and the temple worship. There was a locust plague that occurred in Judah during the time Joel’s prophetic ministry. He capitalized on their recent tragedy, to dispense the LORD’s message of judgment. In hopes of repentance.
The Word of the LORD came to Joel and he prophesied, “Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.” (Joel 2:3) Joel spoke of the devastation and destruction of the palmerworm, locust, cankerworm and the caterpillar. These were considered as God’s army used to annihilate the land of Judah for their disobedience and rebellion. God said, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:” (Joel 2:15)
If the congregation, the elders, the children, etc. would be obedient, fast and pray and the elders weep between the porch and the altar saying, “Spare thy people,” (Joel 2:17) “Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.” (Joel 2:18)
God woke me up one morning about 2 o’clock. He told me to draw a locust and He said, “write, what the locust hath destroyed I will restore.” Thus, after the completion of my assignment, I sat there in the wee hours of that morning, me and God, I wondered why God had me do this? And He said, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,” (Joel 2:25).
I sat there and cried. For I thought about the years of missed opportunities for fellowship with my son. We had some good days and thank God they outweighed our bad days; nevertheless, I realized I (we) missed moments to enjoy one another.
Two years back, my son was in a car accident that left him severely injured. Because of the injuries he sustained, he was unable to respond to family members and friends as we hoped. He laid there in a hospital bed immobile for that length of time. And he could not verbally speak to us. I had to care for him, cutting his hair, shaving his beard and grooming his mustache.
The very first time I went to take care of his needs, he looked up at me after I finished shaving and cutting his hair, and one single tear drop came from his right eye and rolled down his cheek. That morning after I completed the piece of art work you see, God took me back to that moment my son and I had in that hospital room. Shortly thereafter, my son was called from labor to reward. That morning God said, “did not I promise to you, what the locust hath destroyed I will restore.”
Lost years can never be restored literally. You can not have back your time. Nevertheless, you never know where, when, or how God will restore those years. I am a witness that, there is a strange and wonderful way in which God can give back to you the wasted blessings, the adolescent fruits of years over which you have mourned.
Finally, as I sit here teary-eyed writing… What a promise from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—–“I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.” (Joel 2:25)
Elder Anthony Carl Becks was born in the District of Columbia and raised in the DMV area. He spent his college years on the campus of Howard University as a result of scholarships in football and baseball. Elder Becks was inducted into Howard University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in both sports in 2018. He found his wife of 47 years while attending Howard. They were blessed with three wonderful children: daughters Ashasha and Acacia, and a son, Aman, who has been called from labor to reward.
Elder Becks graduated in 1982 from Howard University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy and a minor in Commercial Art. He is now retired after working in the field of pharmacy for 35 years. He served the community in retail, HMO, assisted living and hospital settings. He was named Pharmacist of the Year in 1994. Elder Becks started a company called “Blessed Image.” Using his minor in Commercial Art, he produces art pieces in the medium of pencil. His talent of drawing is serving him well in his retired years.
In 1974, Elder Becks gave his life to Jesus Christ and God called him into the ministry three years later. Elder Becks has, by the grace of God, been walking with Him thus far. He is happy to serve the Lord in this calling both as an assistant to his Pastor in the Washington, DC Church of God and in his artwork, “Blessed Image.” Praise the Lord!
