Every time I come to the Old Meeting House I am reminded of a verse from the book of Hebrews, chapter 6 and verse 12, “Followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” It feels to me that the heroes of faith (the men who founded the chapel, risking their lives to do so) are calling me from the heights that they have won, and telling me that what men once did, man can do again. Not only do they remind me of the necessity of faith, but also of that patience by which faith has its perfect work. This challenges me to let go of my fear and put all of my faith in my Heavenly guide, so not to miss a single lesson which he has for His loving disciples by discouragement or doubt.
“There is only one thing,” said a village blacksmith, “that I fear, and that is to be thrown on the scrap heap.
"When I’m tempering a piece of steel, I first heat it, hammer it, and then suddenly plunge it into this bucket of cold water. I very soon find whether it will take temper or go to pieces in the process. When I discover after one or two tests that it is not going to allow itself to be tempered, I throw it on the scrap heap and sell it for just one pound per pound of weight when the junk man comes round.
“So I find the Lord tests me, too, by fire and water and heavy blows of His heavy hammer, and if I am not willing to stand the test, or am not going to prove a fit subject for His tempering process, I am afraid He may throw me on the scrap heap.”
When the fire is hottest, hold still, for there will be a blessed “afterward”; and with Job we may be able to say, “When He has tried me I shall come forth as gold.”
Let’s remember that sainthood springs out of suffering. It takes eleven tons of pressure on a piano to tune it. God will tune you to harmonise with Heaven’s key-note if you can stand the strain.
Can I urge you to follow these heroes of faith?
John.
