When All Else Fails ~ ~ Remember His Faithfulness

When All Else Fails ~ ~ Remember His Faithfulness

The congregation had tripled under the faithful and inspiring preaching of Myron Wells.  The Holy Spirit's indwelling presence led to many souls being immersed.  Following each baptism many members sang praise songs waiting to pray with the new convert.  It was like when a new-born baby gasps for air and seemingly cries out I'm free now.

A result of the steady growth created a challenge: the classic 104-year-old-brick-church building was now inadequate to hold the larger audience.  What should we do?  The answer came: we felt led to start a second service to help ease the overflow.

About a year went by and both services were packed again.  Something had to be done.  Should we build an addition? However Code statutes couldn't be met as our lot was too small.  We decided to plant a new church on the other side of town.  About 1/4 of the members joined the new plant.  This reduced our cramped quarters.
 
But when the Lord's people's faith is contagious ~ ~ souls respond to the Gospel of Jesus.  Before too long we were overflowing again.  A solution became paramount.  We needed to build a new building or purchase a larger building.

While members scouted for an ideal place to build, another group searched for a larger used building.  As we considered the seen and unseen costs of erecting a new building and the high price of land the latter became self-evident.  We decided to put our current building on the market and search for a larger used building.

Weeks dragged into months. Months flipped the calendar over and over and still no offers came in to purchase our church.  And then a large building came up for sale. It was ideal. Perfect to a "T."

But other groups were also interested. Patiently we trusted the seller would accept our offer.

But because our building hadn't been sold the seller turned us down.

It was at that moment that the Holy Spirit spoke to the heart of our cherished godly secretary.

PeggyAnn said, "We've tried everything except the most critical of all.  We need to have a day of prayer and fasting where the whole church unites together in earnest."  I felt chills dancing down my spine as her trusting soul showed how blind we had been.  Sure we'd prayed and prayed but never had we considered a day of prayer and fasting.

She exhorted us to let God do his miracle, "He is always faithful.  Always!"

We didn't delay but set aside next Saturday for the fasting and prayer vigil.  Hundreds spent portions of their day imploring God to provide a buyer.  Late in the evening someone closed in prayer.  When the door was opened a voice from the office said, Brother Smith you have a telephone call.  The realtor said, "Larry ~ I have a solid offer on the building."

We sold the building and the formerly hesitant seller quickly accepted our offer.  We purchased that larger facility which easily held our crowd.  I never forgot the timing.  The building was sold instantaneously after our vigil. 

God's omnipotence and loving faithfulness was shown in all its glory
 
"It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) 
 
“Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” (Joel 2:12)

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint."  (Isaiah 40:31) 
 
Remember by Laurin Dagle 

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