Give and Give and Give

The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot

Having been asked to speak to a group of ministers’ wives, I asked the young wife of a minister what she would want to say to them. Many young people nowadays, I said, have grown up without any idea of hardship or sacrifice, and when it is required of them in the Lord’s service, they rebel.
“Tell them to give and give and give, not expecting anything in return, “the young woman said.

“But what if they say ‘I’m having a really hard time with this. I’m struggling, I’m not really sure I can do that?”

“Tell them ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthened me.’”

It was a clear word, spoken with the conviction of obedience. This young woman knows the struggle. She has experienced rejection and ingratitude. But she knows the truth of God’s promise of strength.

Recognition

The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot

The temptation comes at us daily in some form or other to stand on our so-called rights, to desire to be appreciated for what we think we are, and to be given our “proper” place. This was what the mother of James and John was looking for---not for herself, but (for a mother this comes to almost the same thing) for her sons. She asked Jesus to assign them seats in heaven (see Matt. 20). Jesus answered that the privilege was not His to grant. He used the incident to teach the lesson we need every day: don’t bother about making the weight of your “authority” felt. Forget about “who you are.” Don’t give a moment’s thought to rights if you are in earnest about following Me, for I am the one, remember, who came to serve and to give up---not only My position with the Father, not only all My “rights” and My very glory, but My life. Do you feel you deserve to be first? Be a servant. Give up everything. Together, then, we will enter into joy!

The Eye of the Needle

The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot

A husband and wife came seeking counsel for their marriage. As they told their story, fear and pride were revealed as the root causes of strife. The healing of that fear and the renunciation of that pride seemed utter impossibilities----just as impossible as for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven, weighed down as he is with much baggage.

This man and woman are weighed down too, yet wanting very much to rescue their home, to do God’s will, to enter the Kingdom. It is, quite simply, impossible---“with men.” But it is possible with God. He who calls us higher, beckons us in the direction of holiness and joy, is able to restore us, able to save, able to do more than we can ask or think, able to make even a camel go through the eye of a needle.

At Every Stage of the Journey

The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot

What matters in life is that we should stick with the Lord. Where He goes, we follow. When He says halt, we halt. This is how it was with Israel ---as He led them all those years in the wilderness of their journey to the Promised Land, they moved when the pillar of cloud and fire moved, and they camped when it stood still. The most amazing thing about that story is the most amazing thing about ours ---The Lord of Hosts is with us! The pillar of cloud, visible by day, had fire in it at night, so “the Israelites could see it at every stage of their journey” (Exodus 40:38).

Some stops of our wilderness saga seem very difficult and very lonely. We look in vain for any indication around us that the presence of the Lord is still there. Where has He gone? Did we miss the way? Has He forgotten to be gracious? There is no “pillar” for us. But oh yes, there is ---it is His unbreakable Word. Hold on to that. Count on it. Believe it. That is our pillar of the proof of His presence: “Be assured, I am with you always, to the end of time” (Matthew 28:20)

That promise, like the wonderful cloud with fire in it, is for every journey. That means today.

The Music of His Promises

The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot

On dark days when the only song we feel like singing is a dirge, we can pray, “Let the music of thy promises be on my tongue” (Ps. 119:172). This is no tear-jerking ballad of how I’m feeling. The promises of God will lift me right out of sad sentimentality and put music in my mouth if I will think steadily on them. Here’s one to sing: “Unfailing love enfolds him who trusts in the Lord” (Ps. 32:10).

Do you feel nothing of the kind? When did the validity of the Eternal Word rest on the mood of one of His poor children?

Let the promise be the song you sing. He will hear it and make it true for you.