A gifted Christian writer who possessed a creative and brilliant mind was involved in a tragic accident, resulting in the loss of both legs and his left arm. Only his thumb and part of a finger remained functional on his right hand. To the once active, energetic believer now so handicapped a long, dreary, meaningless life seemed to loom before him.
One day, while struggling in the depths of depression, he realized how much he enjoyed receiving letters. Even though it would be physically taxing, the man decided he would use his writing ability to brighten the day for other shut-ins. How to find those who needed that kind of encouragement, however, proved to be a difficult challenge.
As he prayed for guidance, the Lord seemed to tell him to write to men in a local prison. But when he contacted a Christian prison ministry, he learned that even if he did write, due to strict prison rules, his letters would never be answered.
Deciding to proceed in spite of that obstacle, he twice a week undertook the physically exhausting effort of painstakingly handwriting a letter each message full of interest and spiritual encouragement. Though there would be no acknowledgment, he prayerfully and diligently put his whole heart into each one. But often he felt discouraged wondering if any prisoner even bothered to read his letters.
Though his faith was sorely tested during those times, he refused to give up. Then one day, after several months of letter writing, the handicapped author received a letter from the prison. It was written on official stationary and contained an abrupt, concise request signed by the official in charge of censoring all mail sent to the inmates.
The short note read, “Dear sir: Please write your letters on high quality, heavyweight paper. They are passed back and forth between every cell and read by so many that the paper falls to pieces before all the prisoners get a chance to read them.”
Elijah gave up in discouragement (1 Kings 19:9-189And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 14And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 15And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 17And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 18Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. (1 Kings 19:9‑18)). To the prophet’s mind, all his efforts at faithfully serving the Lord seemed to have born no fruit. But the Lord had a wonderful and humbling secret for Elijah. In the very land he thought had totally turned in apostasy from Jehovah, there were still seven thousand faithful ones who had not wickedly bowed their knee to the worship of Baal.
In the Lord’s day multitudes followed Him until a time of testing came. Blessed, divine words that He spoke stumbled the majority, and “from that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him” (John 6:6666From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (John 6:66)). What a portion of joy and glory they missed, because they became discouraged and gave up following Christ the Messiah.
We, too, are prone to the same thing. The path of faith does have its tests, obstacles and trials. But what are they in comparison to our blessed Saviour in glory? Let’s not give up serving, using the very best quality for Him who is infinitely worthy of all.
Ed.