Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 February 26

Black History

“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:26-39)

Today’s Morsel: Throughout America, February is seen as Black History month. It was chosen to highlight the many contributions made by black Americans to this nation. Yet many today have no knowledge of the contribution that have been made. Most people have never heard of:

• ·      The 54^th Massachusetts Regiment, famous for their valor at the Second Battle of Fort Wager, proving that black soldiers could fight.
• ·      The Tuskegee Airmen, the first black military pilots who served with distinction in World War II, flying fighter escort and bomber missions in Europe. Earning great distinction. 
• ·      Nor of George Washington Carver, famous for his revolutionary agricultural research. Known as the “Peanut Man” for creating products like milk, flour, ink, and dyes from peanuts, and educating farmers in the south about crop rotation. 
• ·      How about Dr. Charles R. Drew, a black surgeon and researcher known as the “Father of Modern Blood Banking’ and for developing techniques for blood plasma storage and large-scale blood banks, pioneering the bloodmobile, and protesting racial segregation in blood donation during World War II. 
• ·      Or Garrett Morgan, the black inventor who created the traffic light after witnessing a serious intersection accident.

The list could go on and on. But as Orwell states, “If you want to destroy a people, destroy their history.” Some say that even a black man, named Simon of Cyrene, was chosen by the Romans to carry Jesus’ cross. Rev. Willam Seymore, famous for starting the Azusa Street Revival in California, was a black man. Rev. G.T. Haywood, Christ Temple in Indianapolis, song writer, and one of the first to pastor an integrated apostolic church in America. From soldiers, to doctors, to pilots, to scientists, teachers to judges and presidents, congressmen to senators, black Americans have made some major contributions to this great nation.  When the Spirit drew Phillip away into the desert to meet a man in a chariot, scripture tells us that this man was an Ethiopian Eunuch, under Candence the Queen, of Ethiopia. And after Phillip’s teaching, he was baptized by Phillip and sent on his way rejoicing.  And today, the country of Ethiopia, is filled with many people who are serving Jesus Christ.  You see, Jesus is no respecter of persons, and neither should we be.  All people make contributions both in society and the Kingdom of God.  Let’s know our history, it is a rich heritage.   

Sing: Farther along we’ll know all about it. Farther along we’ll understand why; Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine, we’ll understand it all by and by. 

Thought For Today: Don’t let history be lost.