Editorials
Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, suffered much criticism, but bore it bravely and patiently. One day a friend reminded her of a particularly mean thing someone had done. "Surely you remember that, Clara!" she cried. "No," came the answer, "I distinctly remember forgetting that!"
There are many things we need to forget. In some ways, the adage "ignorance is bliss," is true. It is not that we should ignore those things which may possibly harm us, especially if they have done so in the past, but it is simple wisdom to forget what is counterproductive to peace.
And so, the wrongs we have suffered at the hands of others must be forgotten. Charles Spurgeon once said, "Pray for a short memory as to all unkindnesses."
I remember the story of an aged saint who said that he once had an enemy. In fact, he declared, it was a very determined enemy. But the aged saint could not recall the person's name. If a name cannot be placed to an act, the act will have lost its virility. There are some people, however, who at the mere mention of an individual's name, will respond with bitterness of attitude.
After his resurrection, what do you suppose Christ thought when He met Peter on the shore of Tiberias? Do you think His impeccable mem-ory recalled every bitter detail of how Peter had denied him to a damsel? (John 18:17.) Or can we rather hear the love and concern in His voice when He said, "...Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?... Feed my sheep." John 21:17.
We must also forget the good that we have done. If we do, we won't have a problem following the proverb which says, "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips." Proverbs 27:2. It was once said, "If you have done a kindness, forget it. If someone else has done a kindness, shout it from the housetop." A verse of poem also puts it well:
Forget each kindness that you do
As soon as you have done it;
Forget the praise that falls to you
As soon as you have won it.
After repentance and the full knowledge that Christ paid for our salvation at Calvary, we must forget our past sins. While we should remember with gratitude how much the Lord has changed our lives, there is no redeeming benefit in dwelling on the details of past sins. Such recollection will aid the devil in either condemning us, or puffing us up with a shameful pride.
In this regard we can take a cue from Dwight Moody, who wrote, "God has put our sins not only where we cannot see them, He has put them where He cannot see them." God has said, "...and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 8:12.
Recalling past wrongs can ruin any relationship. It is like two former college friends who had a chance meeting, and talked for hours to catch up on each other's lives. At midnight one of them noticed a clock and said, "Oh, my, I must get home to my wife."
Several days later, the two met again. One told the other that his wife had taken it very well though he had returned home so late after the night of their visit. The other man said, "I went home and explained the lateness to my wife and she didn't take it very well. She became historical."
"Don't you mean she became hysterical?" questioned the first friend.
"No," was the answer, "she became historical. She began to bring up all my past faults and failures."
What would it be like if God became historical? How would we feel if He resurrected all our past sins? When you feel that perhaps you've been less than what you wished to be, what would it be like to hear Him say, "Well, that's not the first time you have done it." He is kinder than that, so why should we pester ourselves with the recollection of a sinful past when even God refuses to do so?
The two months since we last published the Faith and Victory have seemed a long time. Yet it has been time well spent. The workers here at the Print Shop have diligently printed and processed thousands of books and tracts which are ready to be sent out. If you would like a free sample of tracts, send your request to this office. One small tract, accompanied by the Holy Spirit, can be the means of someone being encouraged and enlightened. The written word may lodge where the spoken word can never reach.
It was inspiring to meet with so many of the saints this year during the days I spent at the Monark Springs National Camp Meeting. There was grandeur in the way God's Spirit worked, and messages were preached containing practical substance. More was offered over the pulpit than trite theology. Encouragement, as well as warnings, were presented in a manner which reached the soul.
On Wednesday of the Monark Springs Meeting, word came via telephone of a problem concerning Bro. Bob Sallee and his daughter, Karen, who were doing missionary work in Malawi, Central Africa. It was soon determined that Sis. Karen had contracted malaria and was seriously ill. The overriding burden of the rest of the meeting was for Bro. Bob and Sis. Karen's welfare. General prayer sessions were called, and prayer chains formed. The throne of heaven was inundated with hundreds of petitions. Bro. Bob's wife, Sis. Irma, and Bro. Michael Smith, quickly obtained plane tickets and flew to Blantyre, Malawi, to be with them.
When Bro. Bob and Sis. Karen's scheduled flight back to the States came, they were on it. At every step of the way, God miraculously intervened. It was a huge accomplishment to get Sis. Karen home, but the battle wasn't over. Her body was often wracked with chills and fever and the saints continued to hold on to God with constant prayers throughout the nights. As a result, God brought her out of this affliction with a wonderful testimony of His love toward His people.
The testimonies of Bro. Bob and Sis. Karen appear on pages 6-9 of this issue, with accompanying photos on pages 4, 5 and 6.
We apologize for the lack of space in this month's Faith and Victory. With a two month accumulation of submitted material, we had to drastically cut some things, and be selective in others. Dated material was given preference. We hope to catch up on articles, poems, missionary reports, letters, etc., in future issues.
Recently my wife, Mary, and I, spent some time with Bro. Isaac and Sis. Lavina Martens in Kingman, KS. For many years they were ardent members of the Anthony, KS congregation, but now are residents of a Care Center. Our visit last Sunday was a confirmation that it is possible to "keep the faith" even when challenged by illness and aging.
If anyone would like to send cards of encouragement to Bro. Isaac and Sis. Lavina, you may do so by addressing them in c/o Wheatlands Home Care Center, 750 W. Washington, Room 108, Kingman, KS 67068.
Sis. Ruby Varghese, the daughter of Bro. John and Sis. Sara Varghese, native missionaries in India, was married to Bro. Biju Baby on June 26, 1997. Our love, best wishes and prayers are with them, as well as our expectation that they will be a blessing to the Church of God congregations in India.
-Wayne Murphey
