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Putting Out the Fleece
Being Sure of God's Will in a Matter--Judges 6:36-40
We have here a beautiful example of God's dealings with His
children; and of His willingness to make known in a definite way,
His will concerning us. I am doubtful if there are any Christians
who do not at times suffer deeply in their desire to know God's full
will concerning them, so they can do it. At times we reach
crossroads in life's path of duty and it is difficult to know
definitely which way we should go, or which of two duties should be
taken up as our responsibility. At such times a soul should be still
before God until the path of God's choosing for him is made clear.
At one time God laid on Gideon the responsibility of saving the
Israelites from the hand of their enemies, the Midianites, and the
task seemed so great that Gideon shrank from it. But at last he
cried out to God for definite guidance, and he put some fleece out
on the floor and prayed that if God was really sending him to do
this great work, he would make it clear by letting dew fall heavily
upon the fleece and let the earth all around it be dry. If this
happened, he would then know the divine will. God answered in a clear
way. And a few times in my life I have put "fleece" out to be able
to clearly determine the Lord's will.
My call to Cuba was sudden and very unexpected and I felt the step
was too great to be taken without definite leadings. It was at the
Anderson, Indiana Camp meeting in June 1930; I closed myself in
alone with God one night until 2 p. m. the following day. About 8 a.
m. a burden came on me to put the "fleece" out, and I did so. At
that hour, I was practically without money and had been looking to
the Lord to supply and I expected Him to do so. Being on the
campground, it would have been a very natural thing for some who
knew I was going to Cuba as a missionary to give me something; so
when I felt burdened to put a financial test out, before the Lord as
the "fleece" of direction, in this critical moment, I felt it must
be done in such a clear way that there would be no confusion in the
matter. So I prayed--asking God to send me some money from some
source clear away from the campground, and for it not to be less
than $10.00. Anything received on the campgrounds would not be an
answer to this prayer. Much was at stake so I had prayed with all
the fervor of my soul, and God sent a definite answer, about 6:30 p.
m. I was sitting in the Young People's service when a boy entered
with a Special Delivery letter for me. My hand trembled as I reached
for it because I felt sure it was the "dew falling on the fleece."
I was in the presence of God and He was answering. The letter had
been sent from Chicago, Illinois, just after mid-day. It read
something like this, "My dear Faith, I was burdened for you during
the night, and since early morning the weight has hourly grown
heavier, and it is on the financial line that I feel burdened. I
have scarcely been able to work this morning for thinking of you. I
do hope there is nothing wrong. I am rushing this note off to you
and hope the enclosed check will be of use to you at this time."
Enclosed was $20.00. I had a full answer. The dew had fallen just
where I had asked that it might. The gift was more than ten dollars,
and came from entirely outside the camp, and from one who did not
know I was praying about Cuba. Thank God, He has power to remove
mountains of difficulties and show Himself strong in behalf of those
whose hearts are perfect toward Him.
From the day God sent this clear answer to prayer as an assurance
that I was not mistaken in the divine call He had placed on my
heart, I moved forward in full preparation for the new field I was
to enter. And although nearly twenty-one years have passed, bringing
many problems and afflictions and persecutions, yet not once have I
doubted my call, and this has brought strength to my soul many
times, for knowing as I have that I am here in the center of the
Lord's will, I have laid on Him the responsibility of safely
bringing me through whatever arises n our work. If our ways are
committed to Him, He shall direct our paths. The Psalmist said,
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring
it to pass." Praise God forevermore.
God Supplied Fare to Cuba
Knowing definitely that God had called me to Cuba to pour out my
life there in getting the true Gospel to the people, I secured the
address of one family in Havana, Cuba, and had some correspondence
with them. I also had the address of one sister living in Miami,
Florida. Having contact with these two places, I made my plans for
the trip. I reached Miami, Florida on a Saturday morning, the 6th of
September 1930 and was to leave there by train for Key West at 3:30
a. m. Monday to make connection with the boat from Key West, Florida
to Havana, Cuba. I did not come with the backing of the Missionary
Board, for although they did heartily sanction my coming; they said
they were unable to finance the opening of a new mission field. But
believing as I did that I was divinely called to this field, I felt
a calm assurance in my heart that God would supply my every need.
However, He let me be deeply tested before I got there.
On reaching Miami, I at once made inquiries about the trip expenses,
and knowing that on reaching Havana I would need to have a few
dollars in hand for a taxi, etc., I found I lacked twenty dollars of
having enough so I took the matter to the Lord in earnest prayer. I
attended the services in the little church there that morning and
evening (on Sunday) and preached in both of the meetings. I passed
the day in much prayer--and believed firmly that God would not fail
me. Near the close of the night service, a lady came quietly to my
side saying she must leave as some neighbor had brought her in from
the country and he wanted to go. She slipped an envelope in my hand
and quietly went out. I put the envelope in my handbag, and did not
open it until after I was back in Sister Perkins's home, ready to be
taken to the train. When at last I opened the envelope and found
there the twenty dollars God had sent me in answer to prayer, my
heart over-flowed with gratitude to God for this marvelous and clear
manifestation of His presence with me. This definite answer to
prayer at that time meant more to me than any bank account could
have meant. This was to me God's real seal upon my call to Cuba.
Praise His Holy name forever. The Sister at whose home I was
stopping told me that the Sister who had given this was so poor she
could hardly believe it possible that she had made such a gift.
After reaching Cuba I wrote to the Sister who gave this offering and
told her what it had meant to me. That this had been God's way of
getting me to the field He had chosen for me is an impregnable
truth. She then wrote back telling how she had worked and saved this
little by little so she could go north to see her aged father who
was seriously ill. She told of the struggle she passed through when
the Lord told her to bring it all and give to me. She continued
telling how God rewarded her by causing someone who was a stranger
to her, and who was going by car to the city where her father lived,
to take her all the way without cost, and to also bring her back on
their return. Thus a trip that would have cost her double the money
she had was given her freely for her obedience to the call of God to
give what she had in hand. Did not Jesus say; "Give and it shall be
given you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, shall men
give into your bosom." Luke 6:38. This experience brings to us very
clearly a wonderful lesson. This lesson is that they that put their
confidence in the Lord shall never be put to shame, for the dear
Lord has obligated Himself scripturally to care for them; and we are
also taught by this event that God will never fail to reward those
who make sacrifice to advance His Kingdom in the hearts of men.
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