Changed Lives

by Sands, A. P. | Category: Changed Lives | Oct 1999

'I am a woman of sorrowful spirit' - 'my heart rejoices in the LORD' (1 Sam. 1:15; 2:1). 'Lame from his mother's womb' - 'walking, leaping, and praising God' (Acts 3: 2,8). What dramatic changes in the lives of Hannah and the beggar at the gate Beautiful!

Both these individuals had, in God's sovereign purposes, been denied a crucial function in normal healthy living. Naturally, Hannah had no hope of a child and the beggar had no hope of walking. Then God gave each a miracle and created two of the many changed lives in Scripture. Let's now draw a few lessons from them.

The first three features of the fruit of the Spirit, you'll recall, are love, joy and peace (Gal. 5:22). Those who experience something of this cluster as the sound basis for their lives are truly blessed. But in addition, and most challenging for us, fruitfulness includes what has been termed 'spiritual reproduction'; that is, others are born-again because we have been in travail for them. In Hannah's case the prospect of having a child at all seemed to be nil. Yet she became the mother of Samuel, an outstanding man of God. What had made the difference? What was the link between barrenness and blessing? 'For this child I prayed' (1 Sam. 1:27); that was the link. These words have been both a challenge and an encouragement to many since, and the need for such prayer is just as great today. Christian parents know what it is to pray specifically for each child: fervently, frequently, patiently. They pray initially for a safe natural birth, and subsequently for a new birth. Thankfully too there are parents who further pray that their children will grow up to become men and women of God.

Then there is the crucial role of Christian youth workers whom we would strongly encourage to continue in fervent prayer for each child entrusted to them. They may well be the only 'parents' a child will have in vital spiritual things. Having said that, many of us not directly involved in youth work can obtain names of particular children from time to time, such as those attending a summer camp.

In all such situations, who can assess the value of such focused prayer? It is certainly true that some not privileged to have children in the natural sense have enjoyed the greater privilege of being God's instrument in the new birth of a child of God. So may He grant that many of us will be able to say, both now and in the glory, 'for this child I prayed'.

Some lives changed later in Christian experience

Evidently Hannah had already been a believer some years when her life was changed. In this connection, the writer is reminded of a brother in the Lord who some years ago had been witnessing to and praying for a colleague at work. Eventually he had the special joy of seeing that person saved and said of his own experience, 'It has changed my life!' Like this brother, many with a Christian upbringing put simple faith in Christ when young with no evident significant change in life. In due course, however, simple acts and words of witness, often with great nervousness are indications of new life in Christ.

Sometimes, alas, we need to make changes in our lives for our witness to be effective, and if the Lord is burdening any of us regarding apparent barrenness in this respect may we very prayerfully lay the matter before Him. Then perchance He may grant us the great joy of helping someone come to Christ. Who can tell what further change this might produce in us?

Changed lives are seen in God's house

Regarding Hannah, we read, 'she was in bitterness of soul... and wept in anguish' (1 Sam. 1:10). Not only was she unable to have the child she desperately wanted, she also suffered cruel jibes from Peninnah her rival. She was not a happy woman. And recalling the lame beggar also, we know that for all his forty years he had been unable to walk. A very sad case indeed. But as well as their adversities these two had a vital thing in common: their pleas were heard at what was, or had been, the house of God. They didn't just stay at home and mope. Their example should be a great encouragement to God's people today, many of whom experience very trying circumstances which frustrate, restrict, and sometimes threaten to overwhelm them. Understandably, such saints could so easily despair and be thwarted in their Christian lives and service for their Lord. Yet painful circumstances, we know, are often the cause of believers being much cast upon the Lord, resulting in the strengthening of their faith and devotion. And such who by grace continue in God's house today are greatly blessed. They know change: alas it may not be change in circumstances, or sudden change in personality, but sure change nevertheless. For such struggling saints don't wait forlornly at the gate Beautiful. They 'dwell in the house of the LORD... to behold the beauty of the LORD' and something of that beauty is seen in them, as by grace they 'are being transformed into the same image' (Ps. 27:4; 2 Cor. 3:18).

Changed lives should be together

When Peter and John faced the enraged Jewish council following the healing of the lame beggar, the man himself was 'standing with them' (Acts 4:14): a demonstration that changed lives should not be lived in isolation; for immediately he had taken his stand with others who loved and served the One who changed his life. So it should be with us. God expects those with changed and changing lives to stand together, in spite of personal difficulties, in powerful testimony to the 'son, over God's house' (Heb. 3:6 RVM). May we do so until His longed-for return.

Biblical quotations are from the NKJV except where otherwise stated.

Sands, A. P. | Oct 1999
Changed Lives