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A Good Word

A Promise to God

God had called us to leave our secular jobs in England to serve in full-time ministry in Scotland. We began planning our move. We found a buyer for our house. But after we entered an agreement in Scotland for a new home, our buyer in England decided not to purchase our house after all. Because of differing laws in England and Scotland, he could drop his contract, but we could not drop ours. We were legally obligated to take possession of our new house.

We kept waiting to hear good news from our real estate agents, but kept getting the same message: No sale. After months had gone by, our financial situation grew grim.

My husband Alan decided he’d better get a “paying” job. He began working as a nursing teacher at a hospital. A kind friend gave us an interest-free loan and we moved into our new home in November.

It was a long, cold winter. Alan traveled the icy country roads by motorcycle to work at the hospital. During the weekends, we attempted the ministry we had intended to do full-time. Still the house in England stood for sale. Winter passed. By May, our friend needed her money back.

We prayed. The church prayed. No answer, it seemed. Other houses were selling. What was wrong with ours?

One day Alan said, “I’m the problem. We promised God to give up our jobs and serve Him. I haven’t kept that promise.”

“Then you must do what you promised,” I replied.

The next day, he gave notice to his employers.

Friends who knew our situation wondered if we were committing financial suicide. But we were obeying God, and we looked to Him for our provision.

Later that week, our real estate agent phoned to say he had a buyer for our house in England. In less than three months, we had paid back all our debts.

We continued to trust God for all our needs over the next 15 years, during which we served Him in three Third World countries until our recent retirement. We have never been in debt again.

God keeps His promises to us. He delights in seeing us keep our promises to Him.

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:36, NIV).

MARION TURNBULL

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