Chapter XI

Sufficient is Thine Arm

"I will go before you and make the crooked places straight." Isaiah 45:2

The first year we were here I was burdened with a desire to have some kind of a service, witnessing for the Lord. There were secular concerts, etc., but we were told it was not feasible to have church services. One morning I prayed earnestly about it. A little later the words, "Sacred Concert" flashed across my mind.

At once I went to two Christian friends and solicited their help. We decided that each of us would find four artists. A great deal of prayer went up for that concert, both in the building and among praying people elsewhere.

One Saturday, I had a strong impression to go to a certain apartment. I rarely visited on Saturday or Sunday as relatives usually came then. However, I went that day and met my friend's brother and his wife. In the course of the conversation, I learned that they went about singing at different churches. I sought their help and it was willingly given and was of great value to the evening's entertainment.

We three women each got our entertaining guests and it was outstanding talent. It was no accident that I was led to that apartment.

The adversary strenuously opposed that evening's pleasure, in devious ways, but God once again overruled. I was naive enough not to expect any obstacle. Notices on the bulletin board were not supposed to be removed except by authorized persons; so the whole board was removed. One afternoon, while several were meeting for prayer, the board was replaced. We did receive permission for this concert from Headquarters.

We were offered extra chairs from a church. One of the caretakers said to me, "You didn't need these, no more than fifty ever come." I commented, "You don't know, I expect a full house." A full house we had and some in the hall.

How the Holy Spirit manifested His Presence in that concert. The Lord blessed those solos, duets, readings, choruses and instrumental selections. During a violin duet, with piano accompaniment as they played, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," a voice hummed, then it was taken up one after another very softly. In this impromptu addition, rendered so reverently, we surely felt the Presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

There was much commendation for that concert. Later, again over opposition, we were able to secure the services of the Salvation Army once a month. They have carried on faithfully, happy in the work of the Lord.

There have been many, many answers to prayer. Some one has come to my door, who had never been before, because I asked the Lord to send them if He wished me to testify to them. Others have come on a seemingly small errand, when there was a need for prayer. I have looked at a spiritual periodical and said, "This is the instrument you used, dear Lord, to bring this person and problem, to my attention and then to the Throne of Grace."

One specific case I am thinking of, the person was greatly perturbed. He was hoping and praying that a certain promotion would come to him. He had been told it was undecided. He was worthy of the decision being made in his favor. A number of us prayed and God answered prayer. This person gave God the thanks. He knew God intervened on his behalf and those who made the decision have had no reason to regret it.

One night when very ill, I wondered if I could get a doctor if I needed one. Could I get any help if I needed it? Swiftly, across my mind came this promise, "My God shall supply all your need." Philippians 4:19. I said, "Yes dear Lord, you will." I fell asleep almost immediately.

There is another lovely story to relate, which is not connected with me, except that God used me among others to pray.

An elderly man was "born again" when over eighty. He testified to me of God's great mercy in saving him. He was very zealous in the work of the Lord, with a heart full of thanks for his salvation. He grieved he spent so many years serving the devil.

His wife had been ill in the hospital for two years. He longed to see her saved. He witnessed of his own salvation every time he visited her.

One day he took his pastor to see his wife. This pastor is one of God's own men. The husband talked to the wife, - she turned her head away. He asked her if she wanted to go to hell or to heaven with him. Then he asked the pastor to take over.

While the pastor was speaking to her, the husband paced the floor in the hospital room. Then he took a chair and set it beside the bed. He knelt and prayed for ten minutes, perspiration rolling down his face, as he pleaded for God to save his wife.

A nurse came in and waited. Others in the room listened. When he finished praying the nurse asked the two men to leave the room. Outside, in the hall, the husband asked the pastor to go back into the room when the nurse came out and he would stay outside, praying.

The pastor did so. The wife was crying and the pastor was hesitating about speaking to her as he did not know how much more she could take. The Holy Spirit led him and he asked her if she would like to accept her Saviour there and then. She replied that she would. He prayed and a wonderful transformation came over her. The husband came in and kissed her and told her it was the happiest day of his life.

This story is as the pastor told it. He said he had never witnessed anything like it in all his life. He, himself was greatly blessed and filled with joy abundant. I think the husband believed that was the time his wife was to yield to the Spirit's pleading. He was under the Holy Spirit's contol and his love for his wife and great concern for her soul, made him bold and he prevailed in prayer. He and the pastor sang all the way home.

How many scenes like that are enacted in hospitals? Not many. Let us be honest. Ministers and all alike are afraid lest the patient be upset. We lack the great love and concern. We'll never know how far reaching, or how many were helped, perhaps found Christ, during or as the result of that crucial time. We become so concerned over the physical illness. Oh if we showed the same concern over the soul. I am blessed every time I relate this.