Not the Way We Think

God lives and works today. He has given us a wonderful gift, the gift of faith. However, just like everything else in our spiritual lives, our faith has to grow from day to day, becoming ever stronger and more confident in the power of God.

How does this happen? It's not the way we think, as we'll see in today's testimony. It can happen that one of the guests visiting our little land of Canaan will take one of the sisters aside and whisper, Just between you and me, sister, tell me quite frankly, is it really true that the money was always there just at the right time? Then we can testify, yes, always, but one time... Yes, that was when we were just beginning to acquire the land of Canaan. Three farmers had promised, all at the same time, to sell us their fields.

We were delighted, and yet a bit uneasy, for this meant that the first installment to all three farmers had to be paid at once. On the day the payment was due, we had no money in our bank account. Our cash on hand was enough for a full payment to one farmer, half a payment to the second, and none to the third.

Up until this time, we'd been able to say that the Lord had always intervened, even if it was at the last moment. But on this particular Saturday, our sister Anita went away, not knowing what she would say to the two farmers. During our long negotiations about the sale of the fields, we had emphasized that the farmers would receive their money on the hour that it was due, that God had always been faithful with us in these matters.

For the first farmer, we had the full payment, but not for the second. However, when the sister went to the house of the second farmer, rang the doorbell, nobody answered. She left him a note asking him to stop by the mother house on his return in order to get his money.

Despite the relief of this unexpected grace, sister Anita's heart remained uneasy as she approached the third farmer's house. She had no idea how he'd react when she offered him only half a payment. But wonder of wonders, he too had gone away on this particular afternoon.

His wife said that he'd come by the mother house on Monday. And what happened? By Monday, the amount due for the third farmer had come in, and when the second farmer returned from his trip a few days later, we were able to pay him also. Why did God act in such an unusual way? He wanted to show us that he has many different ways of helping us.

But above all, God wanted to test our faith. This faith, as the Apostle Paul was able to testify, is genuine and more precious than gold, which though perishable, is tested by fire. With everything he sends us, God in his love has our eternal destiny in view.

He knows that faith on earth directly corresponds to sight in heaven. Therefore, the more our faith is tested and proved here, the more we will be permitted to see one day in the city of God. Oh, faith brings God's almighty power to men so weak and lonely.

When tempted, victory we'll share if we but trust God wholly. For nothing can our way oppose. Even iron dots will give to those who trust in God Almighty.

You have been listening to a program written by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet.

If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.