Deuteronomy 9:19

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"The Lord hearkened unto me at that time also." Deu 9:19

The memorable prayers of life. Times of conscious conquest. Who cannot recall periods in which the Lord by consent allowed himself to be overthrown, as if in war and wrestling, by the tender violence of love? These great memories stimulate us to renewed endeavours in prayer and service. We date our best endeavours from our latest conquests. Only the good man can say whether prayer can be answered or not. Moses here pledges his word as to the reality of answered prayer. To destroy this answer we must first discredit Moses. This is the real reply to those who would discuss the virtue of prayer. This is not a question which can be settled in controversial terms, or within the narrow grounds of verbal definition; the inquiry must be addressed to the praying soul itself; the praying soul has never feared to say that its supplications have been rewarded with great answers. Family history may be inquired into to bear evidence upon this matter. What of sickness? What of deliverance in the time of vital perplexity? What about the dispersion of clouds that hung like an infinite night over the whole life? What of sudden and unexpected answers to questions which we expected would cut us like swords? A man must be very wise who can answer all such questions offhandedly, and dispense with the idea of the personality and intervention of God in the shaping and direction of human affairs.