“Do not be afraid” is the Lord’s command and His divine encouragement to those who at His bidding are launching upon new seas; God’s presence and preservation forbid so much as one unbelieving fear. Without our God we would be afraid to move; but when He bids us to, it would be dangerous to linger.
– CH Spurgeon
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus,
This final week in Merkinch has been rather unexpected (to me, not to the Lord!) as I have been very sick. All my plans for spending lots of time one-on-one with people in our community have had to be laid aside. But I trust God very much and know that He has a good purpose for this.
The irony is not lost on me that the beginning, middle, and end of my internship here have all been marked by me being very ill. The big markers of my time in Scotland have all happened when I have been unable to do anything except rely on God in prayer. And there is something special to me about that because these times have been reminders to me that this ministry is ultimately God’s work, not mine. And they have been reminders to me of the greatness and sweetness of prayer.
Most of you who read these letters aren’t here in Merkinch, and yet, through God’s wisdom, have been able to join this work through prayer. And I just want to encourage you that being on your knees in prayer is not some second-class ministry role. It is the very heart of it. And for these two years you have persevered in intercession for our sake…communing with the Lord and asking that all of our needs here in Merkinch might be met according to His good will. And how He always provided…more than we needed.
He gave strength to the brothers and sisters here in Merkinch. He gave joy. He helped us to depend on Him in times of gladness and times of deep pain. He gave me hope in the darkest of times. He gave our church open doors for the gospel. And most graciously, He gave us Himself.
And so as I write these words, being still quite sick and tired, I rejoice in this truth: God delights not in the strength of man but in our reliance on Him and His strength. And that is how we shall continue, yes? I will soon join most of you in not being physically present here in Merkinch. And yet the labouring continues…always striving on in prayer with a God who hears and delights to answer His children.
I’ve always wanted to be like Epaphras who is described in Colossians 4 like this: “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you…” May God grow us into pray-ers like that!
Thank you, friends, for standing with me during the last two years. You have given of your time, your efforts, your money, your prayers, sometimes even your tears. And your labor is not in vain. Thank you.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow / Praise Him all creatures here below / Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts / Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost //
Amen,
Claire
Claire in Scotland 