WITNESS BEARING

One of the ways in which Christians may give evidence in favour of their God is by testifying to the fact of His unmistakeable interposition in answer to believing prayer. The world ridicules the idea, imagining that Nature is wound up like a clock, which mechanically and automatically sets the machinery of the Universe in motion, without any present and direct intervention by the Creator. But the Lord’s people know quite otherwise. Many times, and in a great variety of ways, they have proved for themselves that the Lord hears prayer, for there was such an evident connection between their supplications and the ordering of events that they cannot doubt for a moment the latter was the Father’s granting of their requests. While they must not cast their pearls before swine, it is both their privilege and duty (as suitable opportunities are provided in private conversation) to acquaint their brethren and sisters with God’s gracious answers of peace, therefore rejoicing their hearts and strengthening their faith.

A striking instance of Divine intervention in response to believing prayer is narrated by George Muller. “When the water was dried up in Bristol, and the waterworks were not able to serve sufficient to the people, I, with more than a thousand children dependent upon me, never asked any man for a drop of water, but went on my knees before God; and a farmer, who was neither directly nor indirectly asked by me, called at my door the next hour and offered to bring us water; and when his supplies were dried up, instead of telling anybody, I went to my God, and told Him all about it; and another friend offered to let me fetch water from his brook.” Spurgeon declared: “I have had as distinct answers to prayer as if God had thrust His right hand through the blue sky and given right into my lap the bounty which I had sought of Him.” Such too has been the writer’s experience, and we trust, yours too.

A. W. PINK