November 1943
£11
when I had said to Him, "I accept Your plan for my life, Lord,” The sense of rightness when I knew I had been accepted as a mechanic for a post in Africa had not come al together from the pleasure of the job, but from the knowledge that Africa was 'the next step for me in God’s plan. I was going put alone—I knew none of the other fellows, nor whether any at the post'were Christians, or not. On the eve of leaving Los Angeles, I asked God to lead me to meet another Christian fellow out there that we ..might fellowship together and per haps witness to the others. I didn’t know that in far away New York an other man was praying the same prayer, a young Swedish fellow—Olaf —who truly loved the Lord and .who likewise felt that Africa was the place for him though it meant being sep arated for some time from his wife and two small boys at home. When I first had arrived at the base in West Africa, sleeping accommoda tions were inadequate, and I had been sleeping on a porch. Then room was found for me in one of the barracks ar'1 Tmoved in. One day, in the wash room, I started talking to a quiet-ap pearing fellow that | had noticed and felt was different from the general g r o u p . Point-blank, I asked h im, whether he was a Christian. From then on we began to go about together, taking walks in the brief times for relaxation, getting off to ourselves to talk of spiritual things. We found a harmony in our views on the important doctrines of the Word, and even upon less important things such as the part worldly amusements should play in the life of a Christian. My heart lifted, meeting him now. He was dead tired, and so was I, but he looked at me and grinned. “It’s Tuesday,” he said. He might have said Thursday or Sunday, and it would have given me the same sense of joy. For, about three times a week, a little group of us fellows who loved the Lord would meet on a hilltop not far from camp, to fellowship in song, prayer, and tes timony. That group was a fuller an swer to my prayer: first Olaf—then the others. Gradually they had come, one or two at a time who had heard of our outdoor prayer meeting, until we had six or seven. American fellows from our own camp and about five British men from a camp near by. There on the hilltop, about 7:30 on those evenings, we would gather. We had no songbooks, but our collective memories served to bring a number of songs to mind. Verse after verse was given out on the night air. The soft swish of the tall grass about us, an occasional car going by on the “Yes,” he replied, simply. “That’s fine, co am I!”
“Christ Jesus . . . is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).
road below, the measured tread of a group of African soldiers marching by, or a group of our own boys out for a walk, did not disturb us. Sometimes some of the boys would stop and listen to our singing, and then go on. The magic of Africa catches one, when the full moon hangs low over the land and distant palms stand black against the silver sky. Low and clear through the darkness, sounds the throbbing telegraph of the jungle, drums, the pulse beat of Africa. But it was just a background to us who were met there before the Lord. The fellowship of those hours gave us spiritual strength. And we needed it. It takes strength and grace above that a man possesses to walk a con sistent, Christian life before a group of men who are ever watching for you to make a slip. When we put in ninety and more hours a week of tense, strenuous work, sleeping in snatches between servicing planes, stretched nerves become taut and it takes real grace to keep from losing one’s temper. The atmosphere in the hangar was not helpful. Swear ing is the proverbial outlet for the mechanic, when screws and bolts seem to be personified in their ability to elude one’s fingers. There were slips made there in expressions that could not have been pleasing to our Lord. There were other days when no planes arrived and We were not busy enough. Sometimes in those long, lonely hours, reading and walks would pall, and there was a strong tempta tion to “let down the bars” and take part in amusements that are question able for those who want to be His wit nesses by consistent living before those who do not honor His name. Questions for answer in this depart ment should be sent to the Editorial Department, THE KING'S BUSINESS, 55S So. Hope St., Los Angeles, 13, Calif. QUE.: Can you tell me of any case in the Bible w h e r e man changed the mind of God? You inquire as to there being any cases in the Bible in which a man changed the mind of God. When 6ne mentions “changing the mind of God,” the question immediately is asked, is it possible for the finite (human) to change the infinite (God) ? We shall not enter into a discussion on this
But the Lord’s grace was sufficient in all these instances for He had prom ised: “ God is faithful, who will not. suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the tempta tion also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Those hours of prayer fellowship helped*also to give meaning to our d a ily ' practice of Bible study and prayer. In the corner of the bar racks which I could call my own, I frad fitted up a tiny packing-box desk. Here is was my custom to spend leisure hours in Bible study. Here Olaf reg ularly joined me, until he was moved to another designation. On the wall above my desk, I had tacked a blotter bearing the words, “Remember Jesus Christ,” and at the side of it hung a small plaque with ‘Trust in the Lord.” These two mottos were silent witness es in that place where His name was seldom mentioned except profanely, and there were those who were led to comment on the texts, thus making an opening for testimony. A month ago, I came back to Cali fornia on furlough. One by one, the other fellows of our little prayer group had been sent to other posts. Where we will be ordered to go next, no one of- us knows. But, quite possibly, the time we had together in West Africa was the only opportunity we shall have of witness at that particular base. Once more I start out, alone. But I feel just as definitely led as I did the first time and know that my appoint ment will be His for me. I am asking God to provide Christian fellowship, if it is His will for me, but above all to open ways for witness and to keep me that I may “ pass inspection” with Him, at all times. point except to say that since God .knows all things from the beginning to the end, He is omniscient. His plans are never frustrated, and His thoughts and purposes are “fixed” to provide the best for mankinds Some one has said that the product is never greater than the producer. This is true in man’s relationship to God. He cannot change God by any thought or act. Nevertheless, in His plan, God has made provision whereby His chil dren may make appeal to His grace and mercy. We find one of the most striking [Continued on Page 438]
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