Are You Available to be Used by God?
Recently, we were going through some letters in Dr. Forrest’s file when we ran up on one from A. W. Tozer. It was written on September 21, 1936.
- Dear Brother Forrest:
Here is another one of those hurry-up letters asking you to “come over and help us.†Would it be possible for you to come up to Chicago for a three or four day meeting between Sundays some time in November? We want to begin on Thanksgiving Day if at all possible and run over the following Sunday. . . .
Your last ministry here was so very good for our people that we want you to come back and go on with the work you began. We sincerely hope your answer will be favorable. I think that remark would include every person in the Tabernacle fellowship. May I hear from you soon?
Sincerely yours,
A. W. Tozer
Tozer understood exactly what he was doing when he wrote the words, “come over and help us†(Acts 16:9). He knew Dr. Forrest would immediately think of the apostle Paul and his desire to go one way when the Spirit of God was calling him to go in another direction. It was a call for help, but it also was a call to obedience. Paul’s decision to follow God’s direction led him to a broad door of ministry and blessing.
In a letter on another occasion, Tozer responded to Dr. Forrest’s willingness to come with these words: “Your letter came at last with the good news that you could be with us . . . . It is in God’s order, I am sure, and we are looking to Him for a blessed time while you are here.â€
Timing is everything to God, “It is in His order.†Actions done with the best motives can turn out quite badly if they are not done while walking in step with God’s will. Likewise, failing to do what His Spirit requires of you can only end in disappointment and regret. Are you available to be used by God? Will you “come over†when He calls?
Taken from the online devotional book Grace in the Wilderness © 2009 tfchistory.com