The Scripture gives us total guidance for salvation and how, though sinful, we may get to heaven. It also teaches us salutary lessons for our welfare, and the Lord’s glory, while we are on the upward path.
I have learned from the Bible that our God may allow what seem to be disasters in our lives to teach us more effectively to trust Him fully. For example, Joseph was thrown into a pit and sold as a slave in Egypt. He learned God’s purpose when he rode in Pharaoh’s chariot, in command of the nation.
In my own small scale, I went to work in a business office, at the age of 14. I learned a lot in two years, and never heard that my work was unsatisfactory, until the manager told me I was fired. I found out later that the assistant sales manager, my immediate superior, had black-balled me, so his brother could get the job. But at the time it was humiliating, and a financial blow to our little fatherless family.
But my mother and older working sister decided that I should go back to high school for a year and gain college entrance status. This began my academic career, terminating 24 years later with a Ph.D.
My goal in university was to learn Greek and Hebrew, so I could understand God’s Word better. I continued taking courses in Hebrew after my Master’s degree. This involved two cognate languages, Aramaic and Syriac, but I failed these exams, the first ever in grade or high school, in undergraduate or graduate work. It became apparent that the Department did not encourage evangelicals to work for a doctoral degree. Anyway I switched to the department of Education, which was far more valuable to me in the early days of Emmaus Bible School.
Meanwhile I got married and my wife and I were commended to missionary work in Africa. Two of our children were born there, and the third after our return to Canada. Emmaus was launched and grew, including the Correspondence School. After 18 years I resigned and Bill MacDonald took charge. We moved to New Jersey and New York City to serve with the brethren there, now known as Christian Missions in Many Lands. But a year later my wife died of lung cancer. It was hard to see the Lord’s purpose at first.
Gertrud Koppel served at the same station in Africa, in Swahili translation work. When the whole Bible was published, she returned home. We decided the African Christians needed books to help them understand the new Scriptures. After we were married we together engaged in literature work, now known as Everyday Publications.
The twelve-year-old girl was in terminal condition but her father, a ruler of a synagogue, fell down at the Great Physician’s feet and was pleased when He started to come with him. He may have been annoyed at the delay caused by a woman who touched the hem of His garment and was healed. The little girl died before the Lord got there, and the house was full of noisy mourners. They quickly changed and laughed at the Lord, when He said the little girl was not dead but sleeping. He put them all out, except the parents and three disciples. Then He said, Talitha cumi, literally, “Little lamb, stand up.” This resulted in greater faith for the ruler than if Christ had arrived in time to heal her.
Mary and Martha were sore grieved when their brother Lazarus died. But the Lord said it was for the glory of God, that the Son of God should be glorified. Martha believed that her brother would rise at the last day, but she learned that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. So they took away the stone four days after the burial, and later Martha served at supper with both Jesus and Lazarus there.
So we learn to trust the Lord, no matter what comes.
The directors of Everyday Publications found that believers in developing countries could not afford to buy books about the Bible, even at our low subsidized prices. About ten years ago we started offering our commentaries in Everyday English without charge to commended missionaries. Do you think we soon went broke? Our Lord supplies all needs, without solicitation on our part. The same policy is followed today, in our Free Literature Fund. We are learning to trust Him fully, but we still have many lessons to learn in the school of God.
Written by R. E. Harlow