DELIVERANCE FROM THE PIT

Read: Hebrews 13: 5,6

This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and delivered him from all his fears. Psalm 34:6 (RAV)

When I was still small enough to sit on my Daddy’s knee, I would love him to tell me the story about the old man who was walking along with his head in the air. He wasn’t looking where he was going, and suddenly, he had fallen into a big hole. And just as suddenly, my father opened his knees so that I fell between them. I shrieked with excitement, for I knew I was entirely safe, and that although he had appeared to let me fall I was still kept safe in his arms.

I was reminded of this the other day.  I felt as if I had fallen into a pit of depression. I used to suffer from depression, but over many years I have been learning to claim the Lord as my strength and my song. But here I was. A sudden attack from Giant Despair and I felt I was once again at the bottom of a pit. Then it was that my Father God gently reminded me of how my earthly father would never willingly have let me fall, though we had made a game of it; and even so, He had me safe in his keeping and I need not fear.

So God enabled me to call to him and once again he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Prayer: Father God; help us to trust you even in those times when we do not feel you near.

Thought for the Day: We know we can ask you to deliver us from evil. And we ask you to deliver us from all our fears too.

                                                                        Pauline Lewis (South Wales)

Prayer focus: those suffering from depression, that they may receive the right help

I have just had this thought for the day accepted to go in ‘The Upper Room,’ a devotional daily reading, but I thought maybe my Blog readers might appreciate it too. But, would you believe? This week I found myself in the pit once again. I remembered this lesson and knew God had firm hold of me, but I also knew God did not want me to stay in the pit. But   when I phoned a friend to ask her to pray with me, I found she was in the pit too. Had I made a mistake in turning to her? No, God had led me aright.

Together, we helped each other to talk through to the roots of our depression, and then, as we prayed for each other, we both heard God speak into our hearts showing us what action we needed to take in order to climb out of our pit.

So let’s make sure we do cry out to the Lord when we are feeling down, and listen to his answers too.

For me, I had been depressed because I was afraid the door of the school where I was hoping to teach Bible Explorer might not open, and until I had a day fixed for them, how could I make dates with the other schools?

With a nudge from the Holy Spirit, the next morning I phoned two of those other schools to book assemblies, where once again the doors swung wide in welcome.  I was not only out of the pit, but, in spirit, dancing on the mountains.

So may we all call out to the Lord and prove that He not only does hear but answers prayer and delivers us from all our fears.

BOOK REVIEW: THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS

THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS

Belting the Globe with the Gospel

By Marcus Thomas

This book was written in light of the centenary celebrations of the establishing of the Apostolic church UK, yes, back in the year 1916.

The emphasis of the celebrations was, not just looking back but special emphasis was made on our continuing call to mission, and that we should always be a missional people.

In the light of this, it has been a joy to read Marcus’s book, well written and certainly holding my interest through every page.

I was blessed to be led by God’s Spirit to take membership in the Apostolic church when I was in my early twenties, and so privileged to be called to travel to Papua New Guinea and later to Ghana to serve with the Church in the children’s work, but then to marry Pastor Joel Lewis, who had worked for many years as a minister in Nigeria, and then in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. He was proud to know he was born the year the missionary work commenced, but also that his parents had been involved in those early beginnings of which Marcus writes.

It was many years ago that we were warned that when a movement reaches to a third generation it can so easily die out, but thank God we are not a people who have died out wandering in the wilderness, but now are a Joshua generation, entering into our possessions. It was wonderful to see whole families reunited for this special celebration, every one of them still involved in loving and serving the Lord.

As we read Marcus’s account we cannot but realise how great was the price paid, not only for the ministers, but for wives and children too, having to forgo having Daddy at home for Christmas because of a Christmas convention, or being left in a boarding school while their parents went off to Africa; and we can only praise God that he has healed those who have perhaps struggled with bitterness. Many of those Marcus has selected to write about we had been privileged to meet, and there have been other mighty men too whose names could not be recorded here. I so well remember Pastor W.H.Lewis, who is mentioned, in his old age, travelling across London to speak at a cottage meeting in Esther’s home and, knowing nothing of my background, leaving his notes to preach on the Divinity of Christ, or the personality of the Holy Spirit which led to me eventually leaving the cult I was in and taking membership in the little church in Barking. Another precious memory is of our friendship with dear Pastor Rosser, and him handing me the book, ‘So Send I You,’ which was a confirmation to me of my missionary call. How we thank God for the privilege of being part of this move of God, and for now having our zeal kindled afresh as we move forward into another century of service, ever looking forward and  hastening unto the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

But many of you may meet these great men of God for the first time if you read Marcus’ book. I recommend it. Read and be blessed.

For more information, contact- Marcus@thebridgecommunitychurch.org.uk