I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me.
It was not I that found, O Savior true;
No, I was found of Thee.

Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold;
I walked and sank not on the storm vexed sea.
’Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold,
As Thou, dear Lord, on me.

I find, I walk, I love, but oh, the whole
Of love is but my answer, Lord, to Thee!
For Thou were long beforehand with my soul,
Always Thou lovest me.

anonymous author circa 1880

We’ve been in India for over a week now and the lessons are as numerous as a life time.

What a joy to be with the believers of India and to see first hand the depth of their love for Christ Jesus and His Father.

I am humbled by our experiences with our brothers and sisters as they share their testimonies so joyfully and freely – every Christian believer comes to us with the question, “May I share my testimony with you?” It is a testimony that shows they truly understand that living for themselves brought forth the wages of sin – death. In their testimonies I see the repentant cry out and the longing for a changed life. And I see the pure desire to be holy that God alone be glorified. They are testimonies that hold power and reveal the grace of God and I have wept many a times.

Many lives have come to this ministry over the years to learn the fullness of God and His glory – lives of successful businessmen, medical personnel, highly educated men and women with univeristy degrees from Cambridge and Harvard have left all to seek and grow deeper in  their faith as a believer. My brothers and sisters of India so thirst for Him that they have left financial security and worldly aspirations to drink from the Living Waters. As a result they have but one desire, to know Him and to make Him known.

I am awe with their reverence and prayers to God. They come before Him on bended knees with their face in hands on the ground. They weep for their transgressions and have a genuine contrite repentant heart. When they rise, their faces are radiant with joy for they have seen God.

Prayers are essential as two times a week they fast and pray. The worship services are filled with praise and the preaching of the written word goes for almost two hours. Could we ‘endure’ such preaching, or would we become bored and fidgety?

The believers construct their own churches and do not hire contractors nor companies to build. They come together as a body to worship and share meals over open fires and their talk is always upon the Lord.

Beloved India, the Lord has used you powerfully in our lives to reveal the path that we who claim to hold the faith must walk.

God brought us to this far and distant land, and in the midst of the idolatry, poverty and filth, He is showing us the shining jewels of His Crown in His people that love Him so. He has blessed us by what we have seen and has changed our lives forever.

When we return to America we must share what we have seen. We must attempt to awaken our own churches that our faith must be lived every second and that it not be a religious act or tradition but that we would have such desire, such an unquenchable thirst!

Dear God, thank you for opening our eyes – thank you for teaching us in India and for revealing Yourself through your beautiful people!

Are you experiencing a waiting in your journey or have you experienced years of preparation waiting for that divine appointment to finally open the previously locked doors?

Our times are in His hands and we must trust that He knows the hour that is best for His purpose to be fulfilled to reveal His glory. I can testify to this fact as I have waited for this divine appointment and tomorrow those doors which were slammed shut and locked in the past shall burst open with a promise fulfilled.

Tonight I am in a hotel room in Montreal, Quebec,Canada across from the international airport and my excitement can hardly be contained. Tomorrow I will board the plane for my journey to India, a journey that I have waited for nearly twenty five years. I still remember the hot tears and bitter disappointment when God closed those doors some twenty five years ago. My passport, visa, shots and tickets were in my hand and God quietly but firmly said, “No, not now.” The pain that day has quietly faded with the passing years but now an immense joy floods my being with the understanding that twenty five years ago as a new babe in the Lord I was in no way ready to proclaim and serve Him in a far distant land.

There are many a stories in scriptures where lives were kept waiting for years to see the goodness of God. Lovers of God such as Noah, Moses, Abraham, David, Elizabeth, Anna and many others waited to see the promise of God. What kept them going? Simply their belief – faith in what they couldn’t see. They took God at His Word,  held on to His promise, and simply waited knowing that one day God would reveal His divine plan.

Did I know that I would have to wait for twenty five years for God to fulfill what He first started way back when He whispered and gave me the burden to proclaim Him to India? No. If I had known could I have endured such a wait? No. Absolutely not. He wants us to lean on Him and trust His hand. Our times are in His hands and He knows the very hour of our appointment. Are you still waiting to see His promise?

My friend, be encouraged with His Words, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Those that wait upon Him will never grown weary, those that believe in Him will surely believe in His promises, and those with faith will one day see the promise fulfilled. I, my friend, do testify to this fact.

Walking with my Lord in the Silence,

Sue

I’ve shared that my favorite hymns speak as my deepest prayers. Those hymns of old, written and inspired by the words of sacred scriptures, hold forth the depth of praying in the Word of God. Oh, how close can we be with our Lord when praying in the Word!

The most common and well-known prayer of our Christian faith is The Lord’s Prayer. It is a prayer that is recited on Sundays in churches, at burials for our dead, and I remember that at one time, not too many years ago, I recited The Lord’s Prayer with my classmates in publics school to start the day.

Do you notice that I use the word, “recited”…not “pray”?

I believe the word “recite” fits the occasion when this prayer is said in crowds of people for too often they become words that are merely repeated without any time taken to reflect upon what is being said, and thus it can hardly be called praying.

Have you ever sang The Lord’s Prayer? Have you ever experienced this prayer where your whole being is absorbed in it? I share this with you as I have found myself deeply affected when I sing this prayer…affected so deeply that I weep as the words linger, and I absorb each and every thought that takes me into my Father’s holy presence.

This prayer gives me the assurance that my Lord is in control in every aspect of my life, from the smallest of the small to the biggest of the mega. And with that it gives me the courage to pour out my needs to Him. Give us this day our daily bread…forgive us our debt…lead us not into temptation…deliver us from evil.

It shows me the power that is behind the Divine protection in knowing that Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever! And when I sing this prayer from the Holy Word of God I know that I am connected to the one true and living God and that I have entered into His very presence.

Friend, seize the opportunity to pray in a very powerful way by singing The Lord’s Prayer. Let your whole being be washed with each word as you raise your voice to the King of Kings who has personally given you the words with which to come before Him!

We Rest In Thee is one of my favorite hymns, and possibly my all time favorite. It has become my prayer during the long nights while battling the ravages of my MS and it has seen me through some of the fiercest storms as I travel this sod.

The words resound with such a triumphant proclamation that no matter how low I might be at the hour, my spirit is compelled to take flight by the sacred promises found in each strand.

As I walk each day facing the many obstacles and snares, there is such a peace in knowing our Shield and our Defender goes before us, “we go not forth alone against the foe. Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender, we rest in Thee and in Thy Name we go.” Where can we find such solace while at the same time giving us strength to endure? Only in Him Who knows our ways before each new day even begins.

Perfect peace comes in knowing “Thine is the battle.” Yes, we will be stormed tossed, down trodden with afflictions, faced with worldly challenges and cares but it is He who fights the battles, it is He, whom we totally rest upon. Every situation, every trial comes from above. Our various afflictions and pain have been so sovereignly given by his Loving Hand so that we might grow in strength and in faith. “Thine is the battle. Thine shall be the praise!”

Knowing that we are safe in Thy tender care, we can trust that we will one day walk through those pearly gates of splendor and as victors we will rest through the endless ages.

Whatever faces you today it has been ordained and planned by God that you might prosper in intimate knowledge of the fullness of His grace, strength and peace. His plans are not to harm you… He wants the best for you as He loves you so very much!

Yea, in Thy Name, O Captain of salvation, In Thy Bless Name All other Names above. Jesus our righteousness our sure foundation, Our Prince of Glory, Our King of love.

How dare we try to struggle in our own accord when we can simply Rest In Thee.

May His power and His glory be with you today and forever!

Walking in the silence,
Sue

The sacred hymn of old were founded on the Holy Scriptures. Please take some time and meditate upon God’s Word to find solace and strength. The scriptures below inspired the hymn We Rest In Thee.

2 Chronicles 14:11
1 Samuel 17:47
Psalm 144:2
1 Corinthians 3:11
Phillippians 2
Hebrews 2:10