The Lord Has Helped Us

By: Bill Johnson

As we approach the end of the year and stand at the cusp of 2022, it’s a time to look back at what God has done and rest on His promise to continue to work through us and provide for our needs in the year ahead.  By God’s grace, we truly have seen His faithfulness and the faithfulness of His people since this ministry began over 35 years ago – through thick and thin!

Although we are small in number, it is clear that not only has God raised up this ministry years ago, but He has also faithfully empowered and strengthened us day after day and year after year.  I hope you know that we are in ministry to fight the fight of faith boldly and wisely so that He would be glorified.

Today’s devotional from Charles Spurgeon’s “Morning By Morning,” spoke to my heart, reminding me of God’s great faithfulness to each of us individually, as well as to the ministry of American Decency.  As our loving Father has met our needs in the past, we trust Him for our future, as well.  As you read Spurgeon’s words below, may it bless you, too.

“Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12

The word “hitherto” seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet, “hitherto the Lord hath helped!” Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea, in honour, in dishonour, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation, “hitherto hath the Lord helped us!” We delight to look down a long avenue of trees.

 It is delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves; even so look down the long aisles of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. Are there no birds in yonder branches singing? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received “hitherto.”

But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain mark and writes “hitherto,” he is not yet at the end, there is still a distance to be traversed. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death. Is it over now? No! there is more yet-awakening in Jesus’ likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fulness of eternity, the infinity of bliss. O be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise thy “Ebenezer,” for—

He who hath helped thee hitherto
Will help thee all thy journey through.

When read in heaven’s light how glorious and marvellous a prospect will thy “hitherto” unfold to thy grateful eye!

I believe that God raised this ministry up long ago not only for then, but for today and the days and years ahead.  Time continues to pass, seasons continue to change, and our culture continues to find new levels of degradation. But we continue to stand on the Word of God.

The darkness is still there and is still growing, and ADA is still here too, and once more we stand in need of support from those who would be a light in this darkening world. You, our supporters, are working through us at ADA to make an impact.

As God leads, will you help strengthen us for the coming year’s battles? You can support us by visiting our new donation page: https://give.cornerstone.cc/americandecency.

 

 

---