Rick Thompson from Dubuque, IA, shares this dramatic true story about dealing with adversity.
G. Campbell Morgan was one of 150 young men who sought entrance to the Wesleyan ministry in 1888. He passed the doctrinal examinations, but then faced the trial sermon. In a cavernous auditorium that could seat more than 1,000 sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen.
When Morgan stepped into the pulpit, the vast room and the searching, critical eyes caught him up short. Two weeks later Morgan’s name appeared among the 105 “Rejected” for the ministry that year.
Jill Morgan, his daughter-in-law, wrote in her book, ‘A Man of the Word’: “He wired to his father the one word, ‘Rejected,’ and sat down to write in his diary: ‘Very dark everything seems. Still, He knoweth best.’
Quickly came the reply: ‘Rejected on earth. Accepted in heaven. Dad.’
In later years, Morgan remembered: “God said to me, in the weeks of loneliness and darkness that followed, ‘I want you to cease making plans for yourself, and let Me plan your life.’”
Rejection is rarely permanent, as Morgan went on to prove. (He became a well known pastor and author and was eventually named one of the “Ten Greatest Preachers of the Twentieth Century” by Preaching Magazine.) Even in this life, circumstances change, and ultimately, there is no rejection of those accepted by Christ.
No matter what you are going through, no matter the adversity you might be facing, God is in control and His loving-kindness for you is more than you can even imagine. You might feel ‘Rejected on earth’ like G. Campbell Morgan, but thankfully you are ‘Accepted in heaven’ by God the Father.
Our world appears to be getting darker and darker. The daily news stories are getting worse and worse, with scandals and tragedies and calamities happening one right after another. Questions arise: God, why aren’t You doing anything about it? If you are all-powerful, why are You allowing bad stuff to happen?
But God is still on the throne. He is Large and in Charge! He is sovereign and He reigns supreme over heaven and earth. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:10). There is nothing too hard for Him and there is no one above Him. There is nothing He cannot do. The problems that seem impossible to us won’t even cause Him to break out in a sweat! He knows the way through the wilderness (Isaiah 43:19) and the darkness is as light to Him (Psalm 139:12).
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” So keep trusting in Him. Keep looking to Him at all times, including during times of trouble. Declare His power and authority. Declare His might and majesty. He is worthy of all praise and glory and honor and adoration!
This Sunday, July 14, we continue our new teaching series, “Living Right-side Up in an Upside-down World”, with the question from Habakkuk 2, “God, what are You doing?” Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am either in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday at 10:35am to both locations and would love to have you join us.
Have you been baptized in water? If you would like to follow in this essential step of obedience, please let me know.
Men, the all-islands “360 Man Summit” of the Hawaii District Men’s Department will take place July 19-21 at First Assembly (Red Hill). Cost is $20 now or $30 at the door. Interested in attending? We had a powerful time last year.
Aloha ke Akua!
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