Years back, Robin Mark recorded a song called “Revival.” In one of the verses is the line “From the preacher preaching when the well is dry’ I’ve thought a lot about that line over the years. It’s talking about a preacher being able to preach through hard times. I relate it to preachers who went through the depression, times of sickness and disease, countries torn apart by war and oppression, or religious persecution. I liked to think I could have been one of those who despite hard times could still preach the Gospel with out those circumstances affecting me.
After 25 years of painting and four surgeries, my hands are a mess. There is not a day that goes by when I don’t have some sort of reminder of the condition of my hands and my limitations. Over the last 12 years, I still have able to glorify God in my life and share the Gospel without it hindering me. I kind of considered it “preaching when the well is dry”. Although I had not been through wars, the depression, famine and disease, I thought my faith was tried and tested and I was doing alright. About a year ago, something changed in my right hand. The pain started going up my arm, through my elbow, my shoulder and into my neck. For over a month, there was nothing I could do to get a release from the pain. I couldn’t sleep or do anything that didn’t stir up the pain. My doctor checked my neck and could not find anything wrong. He sent me home with some muscle relaxers that didn’t help. At that point I prayed and sought the Lord more than before. After that the pain began to lift and return back to where it was before. I wish I could say that the pain never broke me, but I can’t. I can say that my seeking of God was more than I can remember and that God was there and delivered me. The only way to test our faith is to have to use it. There is no other way.
Over the years I have found great encouragement in reading the Psalms. I see the Lord delivering his children out of many attacks. The thing that we must see here is that he delivered his children “out” of them. I have seen the Lords divine protection and provision over myself and those around me. Seeing these and hearing testimonies of these things does build my faith. But there are times when deliverance comes during the attack. These are the times my faith has grown the most. Many times the Psalmist cried out and the Lord delivered him. We must understand that there is an enemy who desires to destroy Gods’ children. Not just our lives, but every part of our lives. He is also known as the accuser, trying to destroy our reputation. Not only before God, but in this world as well. I know that everyone will stand before God and give an account for their lives, I know that there is a price to be paid on earth as well for our actions. There are consequences for sin and a price to be paid. I must remember it is not up to me to decide when these will take place. I thank God that through the blood of Jesus all of my sins are covered.
I read about the suffering that many people are going through and know that my problems don’t compare with theirs, but they still hurt. The pain is real. In recent times I have had to face some of the most trying times of my life. I’ve heard the words “Lord don’t let me fall” through out the Bible. I always thought it meant things like “don’t let me be defeated” or “don’t let me lose” and things like that. But in recent times I am seeing it as, Lord don’t let me fall away. There have been times where that has been my cry. I find encouragement in I Corinthians 10:13 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. I must hold on to this verse and others like it to make it through these trials and testing of my faith. Sometimes I have to remind myself that the Bible is fully true and that it is for me today. I believe that God means what he says in it.
As I was working on this message, my wife was starting her third day of a migraine headache that would not release. No amount of prayer or pain pills was breaking through. Our family has been going through a trial that is tearing my heart apart worse than anything I have ever been through. It feels like God is not hearing our prayers. In this silent time I have to decide if I really believe that the Bible is fully true in every situation or not. On that day the migraine started to go away and as I cried to the Lord, he heard my cry and started to speak to me through his word. As I have listened he is counseling me and bringing through these times. There seem to be opportunities to work this situation in the flesh, (mans way) or wait and see God’s solution. Sometimes these solutions are not even an option. As
Through out the Bible there are many times where God delivered his people. During the attack, it seems as if the enemy can do anything they want to do. Many times it cost the attackers their lives, while other times they were driven back. I don’t know how God is going to deliver us from these times, but I know he is going to. One of my thoughts is, God did not bring us this far to just abandon us, I know he is faithful and will deliver us. During these times we must stand and know that our God is not only able, but desires to deliver us. Psalm 91, verse 14 he says “because he loves me I will save him” Hold on to those words and keep expecting deliverance from all attacks. I pray that this encourages you. Keep in prayer, I’ve never heard of anyone being accused of praying too much. Please leave comments or feedback in the guest book or email me at; martyg@josiah-ministries.com God bless you all, Marty Griffeth
We can not allow the enemies attacks to silence the Gospel of Jesus. The world must see the Church of Jesus Christ standing strong through all circumstances.
