'This man is My chosen instrument to
carry My name before the Gentiles and their
kings and before the people of Israel. I
will show him how much he must suffer for My
name.' (Acts 9:16)
Truth, as we
know, is the best psychology. The Lord told
Paul plainly right from the outset what he
would suffer for the kingdom, not least so
that he could not claim that he was not
warned.3
Just before
we moved to Shetland, where Ros was taking
up the post of senior midwife on the island,
the Lord warned me that there was someone
there who would dig her knife deep in Ros’s
back. Having come from a senior position in
an NHS Trust where unpleasant backstabbing
was only too prevalent, this was not at all
what we wanted to hear.
Ros enjoyed
an outstanding relationship with the women
and families she cared for on the island,
but it did not take long for the Lord’s
warning to materialise. She very soon came
under intense pressure from a particular
source. Like Alexander the Coppersmith who
did so much harm to Paul,4 these constant
attacks took a huge physical and emotional
toll on us.
The pain
caused by the threats and misrepresentations
was excruciating, but at least we never had
to waste time wondering if we had strayed
out of His will by coming to Shetland in the
first place. The Lord had been gracious to
give us a clear-cut call!
Fire from the
North, the international prayer conference
for the northern nations I organised, would
never have come about had we not persevered
through what often felt like unbearable
pressure.
For a start,
people were quick to say that the location
was far too remote for an international
conference. I had no contact with
Scandinavian Christians, and my concern was
that even if they did get to hear about it,
the travelling costs might prove too great.
Moreover, Christians on Shetland had never
hosted a conference for people from off the
island before . . . would they rise to the
occasion or resist it? The battle with the
‘but what ifs’ was intense. I proceeded with
the all-important practical preparations,
but inwardly I was still hoping for
additional reassurance to use as a shield
against these fiery darts. One day, on a
ferry crossing off the island, the Lord
penetrated my dark cloud and spoke three
profoundly reassuring things:
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“You will be
surprised by who I bring to this
conference.” (I was)
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“My deep
peace will come.” (It did!)
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“When Moses
was struggling to lead the Israelite
people through the wilderness and was on
the on point of giving up he prayed,
‘Unless You come up with us, Lord,
what’s the point of going on?’ Notice
that he never said, ‘Lord, You’re not
going up with us, so I’m not going one
step further!’ If Moses had said that,
you would have heard no more about him.
As it was he kept the door open just
wide enough to give Me the chance to
come through for him. I want you to do
the same.”
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Wow! God
really does honour those who give Him the
chance to work!
For
Reflection and Prayer
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Thank You Lord
that we live to this day in the good of the
decision Moses made to trust You to come
through for him. Thank You that You ‘turned
back the battle at the gates,’ and overcame
all the forces that were ranged against him.
Forgive us
when we speak and act as though our trials
are too great when, in reality, it is our
love which is too small. Help us to embrace
the royal road of repentance and the gritty
road of perseverance – for somewhere along
these paths Your presence will meet with us.
Be with all
who feel like giving up and withdrawing from
the fray. Help each one to use the ‘warfare’
verses of Scripture as a shield against
confusion and despair, and as weapons of
faith to advance Your Kingdom. In Jesus’
name, Amen. |
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