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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Inspired by . . . the cost

 

TheCost_Carmichael

 Satan is so much more in

earnest than we are -

he buys up the

opportunity while we are

wondering

how much it will cost.

~ Amy Carmichael

 

 

Amy Carmichael didn’t waste time counting the cost. Neither did Corrie Ten Boom. I haven’t read Michelle DeRusha’s new book, 50 Women Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Heroines of the Faith, but I can pretty much guarantee both these women are in there. I can also pretty much guarantee the other 48 women that Michelle included in her book, didn’t waste their time counting the cost either.

But there is a cost.

And sometimes, it’s huge.

I’ve been reading The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom.

Be warned. This book reaches out, grabs on to every piece of you, and pulls you in.

“All of Haarlem seemed to know what we were up to. We knew we should stop the work, but how could we? Who would keep open the network of supplies and information on which the safety of hundreds depended? If a hideaway had to be abandoned, as happened all the time, who would coordinate the move to another address? We had to go on, but we knew that disaster could not be long in coming.”

“That night Father and Betsie and I prayed long after the others had gone to bed. We knew that in spite of daily mounting risks we had no choice but to move forward. This was evil’s hour: we could not run away from it. Perhaps only when human effort had done its best and failed, would God’s power alone be free to work.”

Excerpts from: Boom, Corrie Ten; Elizabeth Sherrill; John Sherrill (2006-01-01). The Hiding Place.  Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

 

This side of heaven, there will always be a cost for doing God’s will.

 

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

If you were of the world, the world would love its own.

Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world,

therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)

 

Read what Ms. Ten Boom’s father said, the day after he was arrested, when given the offer to return home “{and not} cause any more trouble.”

“If I go home today,” he said evenly and clearly, “tomorrow I will open my door again to any man in need who knocks.”

Mr. Ten Boom died eight days later. Corrie scratched this on the wall of her cell: MARCH 9, 1944 Father. Released.

He was not a senile old man. He could say what he said with conviction because, “for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2 Tim 1:12) God had proved His faithfulness time and again.

I don’t know about you, but one of Satan’s most effective wiles in my life is that of inaction.

Amy Carmichael’s quote convicts me. The Ten Boom’s give passion to that conviction.

I pray that when the knock sounds at my door,  that my response will be based on the invisible, rather than the visible.

 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,

is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

while we do not look at the things which are seen,

but at the things which are not seen.

For the things which are seen are temporary,

but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

 

Paul could say this, despite the beatings, the shipwrecks and the prison cells.

I know that Corrie Ten Boom believed the same.

Do we?

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!

 

Shalom,

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11 comments:

  1. Good post! The story of Corrie ten Boom is one of my favorites.

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  2. love these books - love amy carmichael's biography, too. there is a cost and in my comfort, I forget too often. thanks for posting (next to you this early morning in Calif on Holley Gerth) sue

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  3. Oh, yes. Love Corrie ten Boom. So inspired and moved and challenged and convicted by her words.

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  4. Powerful post!
    I first read "The Hiding Place" in High School. Every five years or so I re-read it and am challenged to live more devotedly for Christ. Dietrich Bonhoeffer (martyr at the hands of the Nazi) is another person who inspires and challenges me to do more, to be more courageous for Christ.
    In my own life, Caleb Suko (a missionary in the Ukraine- posted on his book this week) challenges me to be brave, to DO something for Christ, to not let fear and worry hold me back.
    Caleb isn't a "super hero" of faith, he's simply obedient and trusting.
    Love to know your thoughts after you finish the book. Send me an email!

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  5. Such a great post - so inspiring - just excellent. I loved the first quote that you opened with. I've never really thought about the fact that hesitation and inaction on my part can be an opportunity (and sometimes victory) for the enemy.

    Jesus did counsel us to *count the cost* - but that was because He wanted serious disciples. But, having counted the cost and found that following Jesus is well worth it, we MUST be doers of the Word and not just hearers.

    Yes, Lord, help MY unbelief.

    GOD BLESS!

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  6. Great post. Powerful thoughts. Those women were heroes of the faith. That question is a hard one to be sure.

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  7. Inaction...that certainly made me think -- and agree. Too often a count of what it will cost causes me to shy away from "doing." It's much easier to drift along. Excellent post and I'm determined to quickly do when I hear God speak. ~Pamela

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  8. Yes, there is a cost but I'm so grateful that He doesn't leave us to pay the cost alone. Thanks for sharing with us at Testimony Tuesday!

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  9. Such amazing role models! I pray I would not count the cost.

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  10. Hi June! That book by Corrie Ten Boom was so nerve wracking, and her faith so transcendent. What a great model for me, and you are so right. It cost her dearly. Following the Lord is so contrary to my own ideas, and I know he is well aware of that. I just hope he keeps that grace coming!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  11. I might need to read The Hiding Place again. But I don't know if I'm ready for the conviction! :) Thank you for the beautiful post.

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If you read something here that inspired you, I’d love to hear about it. Please know I appreciate every comment! Thanks so much for stopping by! Blessings, June