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Sustention
of God
John Wesley's father
Samuel
was a dedicated pastor
but there were those in his parish who did not
like him. On February 9
1709
a fire broke out in the rectory at Epworth
possibly set by one of the rector's enemies. Young John
not yet six years old
was stranded on an upper floor of the building. Two neighbors rescued the lad
just seconds before the roof crashed in. One neighbor stood on the other's
shoulders and pulled young John through the window.
Samuel Wesley said
"Come
neighbors
let us kneel down. Let us give thanks to God. He has
given me all my eight children. Let the house go. I am rich enough." John
Wesley often referred to himself as a "brand plucked out of the fire"
(Zech 3:2; Amos 4:11). In later years he often noted February 9 in his journal
and gave thanks to God for His mercy. Samuel Wesley labored for 40 years at
Epworth and saw very little fruit; but consider what his family
accomplished!
W. Wiersbe
Wycliffe
Handbook of Preaching and Preachers
Moody Press
1984
p. 251.
The citizens of Feldkirch
Austria
didn't know what to do. Napoleon's massive army was preparing to
attack. Soldiers had been spotted on the heights above the little town
which
was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned
to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white
flag of surrender. It happened to be Easter Sunday
and the people had gathered
in the local church.
The pastor rose and said
"Friends
we have been counting on our own strength
and apparently that
has failed. As this is the day of our Lord's resurrection
let us just ring the
bells
have our services as usual
and leave the matter in His hands. We know
only our weakness
and not the power of God to defend us." The council
accepted his plan and the church bells rang. The enemy
hearing the sudden
peal
concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the night to defend
the town. Before the service ended
the enemy broke camp and left.
Source Unknown.
Missionary statesman
Hudson Taylor had complete trust in God's faithfulness. In his journal he
wrote:
Our heavenly Father is a
very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good
appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness
for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China;
but if He did
He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it
God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.
Our Daily Bread
May 16
1992.
HELP
OF THE LORD.
11. Chron.19:9.
If we can say “
The Lord is my Helper
” we can also declare
“ I will not fear” (Heb.13:6).
Ⅰ. In perplexity
He is our
Help to direct
as He did Eliezer (Genesis 24:12
42).
Ⅱ. In poverty
He is our
Help to provide
as He did Elijah (1. Kings 17:5
6).
Ⅲ. In sickness
He is our
Help to strengthen
as He did Paul (11. Corinthians 12:9).
Ⅳ. In sickness. He is our
Help to console
as He did the sisters of Bethany (John 11:25).
Ⅴ. In discouragement
He is
our Help to stimulate
as He did Joshua (Joshua 1:6-9).
Ⅵ. In disappointment
He is
our help to remind us that all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28).
Ⅶ. In difficulty
He is our
Help to say to us
“ Fear not. I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:10).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》