THE SCEPTRE AND THE SWORD

I had been wishing for some time to tell you of the “special” time I felt to have when you last preached from the last verse of the book of Daniel. Several months ago, (and I think it was during a sermon preached from Psalm 37. 23), I was listening to one of your tapes, and felt to be so melted right down to nothingness under the power of it when you referred to this last verse of the book of Daniel, and it seemed to be riveted to my very heart. Indeed, so overcome was I whilst listening to it (and I listened to it about 4 times), that I fell on my knees letting go what I was doing at the time, and lay prostrate head in hands, sobbing and pouring out my soul to my God, and was aware of sweet access granted to the Throne of Grace.

What deep and searching exercise of soul I have passed through during the recent months I feel I can never describe but oh what gratitude arises from my heart as I write, that His mercy stands for ever.

On the Monday morning of the week during which you were to preach, on the Wednesday evening, the words “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” were laid on my spirit, and that same evening a friend, during his first public prayer since being recently baptised, mentioned these very words. This rested with such sweetness on my spirit, but by the Wednesday morning I felt to be in such a low state, and literally shed tears nearly all morning and afternoon, I felt to be in such a needy state of a word from the Lord, and can remember falling on my knees in the dining room resting my elbows on the settee and begging of the Lord earnestly that he would condescend to give me a word that night, when you were due to preach. Strangely this verse in Daniel seemed to keep coming back to my mind at frequent intervals during the day, and I was so helped by this until chapel time, but my prayer for a word seemed to be incessant as I came towards and into chapel that night.

And then, to my intense joy HE CAME,—for in the reading you read a verse that I had felt was sweetly given to me on the morning of the day I came before the church, from 2 Tim. 2.—which chapter you read—and it was verse 15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” and I thanked Him for hearing my prayer and answering it. However, this was not to be all for during your prayer, you repeated “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” Now
was my joy increased, and I simply cannot put into words how I felt when you announced the text. You said . . . “from the prophecy of Daniel”, and I said within myself, almost not daring to breathe “and the last chapter and the last verse”, and you said “and the last chapter and the last verse”. I could not open my Bible to find the text but I seemed rooted to the seat, and I felt that it was every word for me that night. When you finished I felt strangely sorry and could have listened for another hour. As I came out, I could say nothing except wish you goodnight, but did venture to tell a friend as we were going home. Oh how humbled I felt, for had not my Saviour and Redeemer answered me in a 3-fold manner giving to me “though I be nothing” exceeding abundantly above that which I could ask or even think. All praise and glory shall be to Him, and although since then I have had hard and trying times to endure, yet the sweetness and wonder of that evening I believe will live with me all my life, for I feel I can say with all my heart and soul—”I know that my Redeemer liveth”.

Of necessity I must also add that during the latter part of last week Deut. 8. 2. was much on my mind. On Monday evening last the minister read Deut. 8 for the reading, which encouraged me much, as I had told no-one of the verse which had been on my mind. This afternoon just before sitting down to write to you, I fetched one of your tapes at random, and the text on the first side was Deut. ch. 8 v. 2 and on the 2nd side Dan. 12. v. 13. I set the tape and listened to the tape until you announced the text and suddenly the wonder and beauty of it all overcame me and I felt constrained to sit down immediately to write to you. I have wanted to do so before, but have felt totally unworthy to put pen to paper to write, but I simply had to this afternoon—I felt I could not rest until I had done so.

Oh when I feel His presence then am I happy and so rich, and all else fades, but when left, I’m so poverty stricken and poor, but would rejoice in His loving kindness and tender mercy to me.

The minister preached from Matthew 11. 28-30 on Sunday evening and was at much liberty, and I did feel helped in listening, and encouraged. Oh I do like to feel the sceptre as well as the sword but I know that both are essential for healthy growth.

Please bear with me, for on looking back I find I have written so much concerning my own path, but could not contain myself any longer. I ask you to pardon anything amiss, and do desire that the Lord’s presence may go with you whenever you stand in His Name.