Charles A. Tindley was a poverty-stricken black pastor serving a tiny, struggling church in Cape May, NJ when a blizzard swept down, paralyzing the town. During the cold, dark night, his baby died.
Dawn brought no sign of relief. There was nothing but stale bread for breakfast. Tindley urged his wife to set the table “like we always do.” Courageously he thanked God for his salvation, his health, and his children. The family listened in wonder.
Someone knocked on the door. A brother in the Lord entered with his arms loaded with groceries. The storm had delayed his coming. Meanwhile, Charles Tindley had passed a test of his faith with flying colors.
How many of you would have done what Pastor Tindley did? I’m going to be honest with you: I don’t know that I could have done that. I have enough trouble being grateful for the things I have, let alone that which I don’t have. I try really hard not to be a complainer or a grumbler but don’t always succeed.
This is the time of the year when we really focus on giving thanks. Not that it should be the only time…for sure. But it gets the front row seat. For a few short days (or is it hours?) Halloween is past and Christmas Future is around the corner. That leaves us with Thanksgiving Day. Tragically, that is no longer the family time it used to be. The TV never goes off it seems, even while we are eating. After all we wouldn’t want to miss a down of the Lions vs. Somebody or the Cowboys vs. Someone. Me? I know I am “the least among these,” but I prefer the game never be turned on.
I actually intend on spending some time during my day reflecting on the Scripture for this Sunday’s message: Psalm 100. I plan to preach on The Secret of Thankful Praise. I ask for your prayers. But more, I ask that you take time this Sunday to honor God with your thanks.
The Rest of the Story: Charles Tindley was an ex-slave who went on to build a church in Philadelphia which ministered to thousands. God blessed his work. Even a grandson of his former master was converted under his ministry.
YEP, HE PASSED THE TEST.
Would you?
I’m acraid I would find it difficult to display that kind of faith.
As would I.
I often fail.
I am so often, faithless.
But through it all…He remains faithful.
Thanks, Bill.
I am so grateful He is faithful. Where would I be without it?
I shall not answer on the grounds that I would incriminate myself.
I think I should invoke that same phrase.
Psalm 100 is a great one!
I can’t imagine the type of faith that gives thanks for something that hasn’t yet happened when it seems so bleak that anything positive will occur at all. But I have to trust that in my darkest hour, the Lord will give me the faith necessary. Even that comes from his grace!
I wonder what it would be like myself Loren. Would I? Could I? I don’t know.
George Mueller was a man of faith like that. He and his wife had a burden for the orphans in Bristol. Early in their ministry, they determined to ask nothing of anyone except God to provide for their needs.
Here is an example from his life that parallels the one you cited:
“One morning the plates and cups and bowls on the table were empty. There was no food in the larder, and no money to buy food. The children were standing waiting for their morning meal, when Mueller said, “Children, you know we must be in time for school.” Lifting his hand he said, “Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat.” There was a knock on the door. The baker stood there, and said, “Mr. Mueller, I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt you didn’t have bread for breakfast and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at 2 a.m. and baked some fresh bread, and have brought it.” Mueller thanked the man. No sooner had this transpired when there was a second knock at the door. It was the milkman. He announced that his milk cart had broken down right in front of the Orphanage, and he would like to give the children his cans of fresh milk so he could empty his wagon and repair it. No wonder, years later, when Mueller was to travel the world as an evangelist, he would be heralded as “the man who gets things from God!” http://guymanuel.tripod.com/id33.htm
I can’t say I react in the way Pastor Tindley (or George Mueller) did. God did provide a part time job for me in October, and I thought all was well. The state of the economy, however, bodes ill for brick and mortar bookstores, and at the end of three weeks, the owner had to let me go-reluctantly. I’ve listened to people say, “God has something better for you” until I want to poke myself in the eye with a sharp stick-it would be less painful than hearing it again. I know they mean well. But right now employers are off-loading employees by the thousands.
I’ve signed up for online tutoring, and am looking at a legitimate work at home as an independent that has offered me the opportunity to apply for work. What I know about it I can probably do well. It’s what I don’t know about it that has me concerned.
I don’t doubt that God will provide. It’s the watching the little I earned in October disappearing and the waiting for whatever it may be.
I have heard and used that story of Mueller before Susan. I wish I could have that kind of faith. I will continue praying for you with the job search. And I won’t tell you “God has something better for you.” 🙂
I’m with you, Bill. In fact, I think I’m going to be mostly done with watching sports on TV all together. In the end, what good does it do? Not much good comes from it I fear.
I’ve failed all too often. Peace and joy only come from God when He is first and foremost in and outside of us. Such a difficult lesson for the lowly flesh.
I’m praying for you for this Sunday, may our Father speak in and through you. May your flock be blessed and may that Spirit flow from them unto the world.
Since i can’t do two things at once I found that I get a lot more reading done if I don’t have sports or the TV on. There are really only two shows I do watch with any regularity as it is. Thanks for your prayers Floyd.
So few of us are called upon to exercise that kind of faith. One has to be down to no resources within their grasp to truely trust Him. What other recourse did these saints of God have? There must be a deeper well of grace to draw from when something like that happens. My heart is thinking of a song, Four Days Late, about Lazarus being in the grave four days before Jesus came to resurrect him. One of the verses says, “even when He’s late He’s on time.” My hope would be I would pass but I hope I never have that test. Good thoughts brother.
I would hope I could pass the test also Betty. Thanks.
What a powerful sermon this is going to be! Praying for you and looking forward to learning more about the secret of thankful praise. God bless you!
That is my prayer Deb. Lives to be touched.
Yes, what a powerful story. Such a good reminder to hold unswervingly to HIM even when the world around us is spinning out of control.
Hold unswervingly is the key Eileen. Thanks.
It is hard to say whether I would do what pastor Tindley did. I would love to say “Oh yes, I would easily pass the challenge.” At the same time, I am afraid that I might not be that cheerful and thankful *during* the storm… I make it a point to try seeing something good (or at least useful) in everything that happens, but it usually happens when the storm is over.
There are times when nothing can waver me from where I stand. Other times, I am not as strong.
But I am thankful for what God does in my life right now. Finally starting to see some fruits from the tough times before.
I would like to say the same thing Zee. Not until one gets into that type of situation will it happen. Glad to hear you are seeing some fruit. 🙂
From Ike:
BTW….my wife was in stage 3 renal failure. After her last blood work and seeing the Nephrologist she no longer is in kidney failure. The Nephrologist had no medical explanation. Your not supposed to get better….they try to keep you from getting worse. Hmmm…I wonder Who did this? Remember- she was hospitalized three times because her kidneys shut down.
They will continue to monitor her cysts on her kidney and pancreas. We have much to be thankful for!!
I included your comment here also Ike. That is awesome news to hear! WOW! Astound away God. I will continue praying for you both.
I’m not sure I would have passed the test that Charles Tindley did. I certainly admire that kind of faith, and strive to emulate it. We cancelled our cable a couple months ago, so our early Thanksgiving meal with about 20 people this last Friday was filled with conversation, laughs, good food,and a lot of gratitude. My daughter made a gratitude tree, and cut out a bunch of leafs for people to write what they were grateful for. By the end of the evening the once naked tree was covered in colorful leaves filled with thanksgiving. It was awesome!
What a great idea Mike! Was that her idea or yours? I like that. Tell her well done for me. 🙂
Actually it was her idea, and it really added to the evening.
I would have failed miserably in that situation. I LOVE Psalm 100, it is my favorite! That is a powerful story. Thank you for the reminders Bill.