Andrew Murray (1828-1917) was a pastor and an author from the villages of South Africa where his father had begun the work many years earlier.

When he was 78 years old, Murray finally resigned from the position of pastor and for the next eleven years he gave his life to writing manuscripts, hurriedly finishing one and beginning another. He said that he felt as if he was a hen about to hatch an egg; he just could not rest until he released that burden, the message that the Lord had given him.

It is said that when he was in quite of bit of pain from a previous back injury, he was resting to try and regain his strength when he was told there was a woman that had a real need and desired an answer to her problem.  Andrew Murray gave her the paper he had been writing on and said, “Give her this advice I’m writing down for myself. It may be that she’ll find it helpful.”

This is what he wrote:

In time of trouble, say, “First, he brought me here. It is by his will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest.”

Next, “He will keep me here in his love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as his child.”

Then say, “He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons he intends me to bestow.”

And last, say, “In his good time he can bring me out again. How and when, he knows.”

Therefore, say, “I am here by God’s appointment, in his keeping, under his training, and for his time.”
–Andrew Murray

Trials.

Hardships.

Persecutions.

Senseless attacks on innocent civilians.

Executions in the name of a false god.

People that are willing to take their own lives while killing as many as possible before they die.

This is the type of enemy we are facing today. We can no longer look at this war as something going on across the pond. The refugee crisis is real. The refugee crisis is now our problem, not just Europe’s. There are many, many innocent people who have fled the violence in their own country, seeking safety for their families. But inside that Trojan horse the enemy has also infiltrated and found a way to blend in and our problems have just begun.

It isn’t just Paris, we hurt for all lives who are being affected by terrorism! Maybe the tragedy in Paris feels closer to home, not literally of course but that doesn’t mean we are not affected or burdened for all of the other senseless acts of terrorism in other countries. Paris is not more important by any means but maybe Paris will help us to wake up and realize we cannot ignore it any longer.

We know what is happening but the obvious is so ludicrous that our minds cannot comprehend the reality: our own government is now allowing our nation to be infiltrated with Islamic extremists who are bent on destroying each and every one of us and mercy is not in their vocabulary. ISIS also attacks and tortures fellow Sunni and Shi’a Muslims who do not adhere to the extremes of their religion! No one is exempt to this terrorist agenda, everyone is an infidel.

We have read our Bibles, we know these are the last days, the very last days, and Jesus warned us of what would come upon us. And yet it always seemed to be in another lifetime, we just weren’t quite sure how it would all play out.

But now we know.

We have met the enemy and he hates with a hatred that shocks and intimidates us. As Christians, people who are taught to love and include, how do we react and what should our focus be?

Perhaps if Andrew Murray were here today he would respond similarly as he did to the woman so many decades ago, with a little modification:

In time of trouble, say, “First, he brought me here. It is by his will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest.

It is true that God doesn’t go seeking for things to put upon us as His people. But we live in a real sin-filled world and just as Jesus was persecuted, the disciples were persecuted and thousands upon thousands of Christians down through the ages were persecuted, we will likely not be exempt! The good news is that our God is with us, in that we can rest. We will not walk alone.

He will keep me here in his love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.

Do you believe that? He will give us GRACE to stand in the evil day. And not just stand but to BEHAVE as HIS CHILD. We may not be spared the taunts, accusations and violence that may be right around the corner but we also do not respond with the same. We do not flood social media with hatred but we also do not hide our head in the sand and hope it goes away. We spend time in prayer so that the Holy Spirit is able to work through us and guide us with His wisdom.

He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons he intends me to bestow.

We have found that to be true, if we have lived for God any length of time. If we had never had a trial we would never know that He could step in and perform miracles or give us the peace and comfort we need to get through any given situation.

How can He turn persecution into a blessing? In the 11th chapter of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul listed some of the suffering he had endured, read that here.

But then he tells us that he was also given a thorn in the flesh that he asked the Lord to remove from Him…but He did not. So he continues, “…And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.

When I am weak, then I am strong.

Stephen, the disciple, gave his very life while calling on the name of the Lord. They literally beat him to death with stones and yet they could not help but notice his countenance while he lay there dying. (You can read his inspiring story here!) 

Even while being stoned to death, he was not forsaken, he saw the Lord and had the strength to ask for forgiveness for his persecutors! Being full of the Holy Spirit brings supernatural strength from the heavens!

In his good time he can bring me out again. How and when, he knows.

Yes, He can, yes He does. But if He doesn’t? Just as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18.

Even if He does not deliver, we will stand, knowing that He will carry us over to the other side. We will not deny the name of Jesus, we will not serve other gods!

Naturally, we pray the scripture in Revelation, “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.” (words we never thought we would pray!) But if He doesn’t take us out of here before we face such unimaginable times, we know if we have the power of the Holy Ghost, which is Christ IN us, we can hold on and stand in the evil day.

As Andrew Murray encouraged Christians in another lifetime, we can take those words and apply them to our situation today, leaning on the Word of God as our anchor and strength.

Let’s stop ignoring the Elephant in the room

We cannot fret about being politically correct and worried that someone is going to be offended somewhere. They will. Jesus surely was not politically correct! He ruffled feathers everywhere He went and in these last days He will be with those that stand for truth and righteousness. We know we cannot stop the end from coming or the ugly that accompanies it but it is our job to BE the Church and reach with love for as many as we possibly can before the Lord returns for His bride.

There are no accidents with God. He didn’t choose the apostles and disciples to be here for this endtime but He chose YOU and ME to carry His message to a lost and dying world. We are to show the love of God, and share the Good News that Jesus saves, in everything we do! And remember He will be with us to the end. No matter what.

As you move that elephant out of the way, remind yourself:

“I am here by God’s appointment, in his keeping, under his training, and for his time.”

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