Preaching Through Adversity

The one thing that's done me the most good in the past several weeks is this message by John Piper titled "Preaching Through Adversity" based on the life of Charles Spurgeon.  His concluding words were a quote from Spurgeon that gave me the kind of chuckle that comes when common sense suddenly comes into focus and you realize you can breathe a sigh of relief: Confidence has returned.

"You never met an old salt, down by the sea, who was in trouble because the tide had been ebbing out for hours. No! He waits confidently for the turn of the tide, and it comes in due time. Yonder rock has been uncovered during the last half-hour, and if the sea continues to ebb out for weeks, there will be no water in the English Channel, and the French will walk over from Cherbourg. Nobody talks in that childish way, for such an ebb will never come. Nor will we speak as though the gospel would be routed, and eternal truth driven out of the land. We serve an almighty Master ... If our Lord does but stamp His foot, He can win for Himself all the nations of the earth against heathenism, and Mohammedanism, and Agnosticism, and Modern-though, and every other foul error. Who is he that can harm us if we follow Jesus? How can His cause be defeated? At His will, converts will flock to His truth as numerous as the sands of the sea ... Wherefore be of good courage, and go on your way singing [and preaching!]:                                                                                         

The winds of hell have blown

The world its hate hath shown,

Yet it is not o'erthrown.

Hallelujah for the Cross!

It shall never suffer loss!

The Lord of hosts is with us,

the God of Jacob is our refuge."