Hearing His Voice #153

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV

Hudson Taylor felt defeated. He had placed his trust in Christ as his Savior long before, but he longed for a deeper blessing, a sense of victory over sin and being set apart for God’s service. He knew he could not accomplish spiritual breakthrough on his own; it had to come from God. Taylor was at the end of himself and desperate for God to break the power of sin and give him inward victory. For his part, Taylor promised to forsake all earthly prospects and give himself fully to God’s will, whatever the cost. And God answered him powerfully.

Taylor later wrote about the feeling that came over him in that moment. He felt he was in God’s presence, entering into a sacred covenant that could never be broken. Something within him seemed to say, “Your prayer is answered; your conditions are accepted.” And he was profoundly convinced for the rest of his life that he was called to China.

God has spoken clear terms to many who have been willing to enter into sacred covenants with Him. Hannah vowed to give up her son to God’s service if God would open her womb to have a son in the first place, and God accepted and blessed her with Samuel. Hudson Taylor vowed to give himself wholly to God’s service if God would accomplish a miracle in his heart. Such vows are not to be taken lightly, but God will clearly acknowledge His acceptance if He plans to fulfill the request. History-making endeavors have begun from such conversations with Him; He uses the deep longings of His people in order to fulfill His purposes. And He who is faithful will honor His Word and bring it to pass.

Lord, I feel that my deepest longings simply must be fulfilled. I have brought them to You to do as You please with them. Use them to accomplish Your purposes in this world. I am fully available to walk out the calling You have given me if You will fully enable me to do it.