https://odb.org/2025/10/07/up-in-smoke
John 16:31–33 (NIV): 31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and, in fact, has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
During the Blitz on London on December 29, 1940, a bomb destroyed a warehouse near St. Paul’s Cathedral. When Biddy Chambers received the news that all 40,000 copies of Oswald Chambers’ books stored there were lost—which she had compiled and edited but not insured—she set down her teacup and remarked to her daughter, “Well, God has used the books for His glory, but now that is over. We’ll wait and see what God will do now.” (Amy Boucher Pye, ODB 7th Oct 2025)
The calmness of Biddy Chambers in dealing with the destruction of 40,000 copies of her husband’s books is an example of how we should react when certain mishaps or misfortunes occur in our lives. Even if those were events or things meant to glorify God. God may protect certain things like the Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, that was untouched by the bombs dropped by Allied forces. But in most cases, He allows nature to take its course. Even a minister of God is susceptible to a heart attack or stroke if he doesn’t take his medication as much as God has a specific calling and purpose for His life.
Biddy Chambers’ 40,000 books were a great loss as so much could be done, and so many reached through those books. Notwithstanding that great loss, she picked up the pieces and started again. Eventually, the books were reprinted, and many lives were blessed by Oswald Chambers’ books and writings.
The lesson this morning is that sometimes we may not fully understand God’s work and how He works. But trust that He will eventually achieve His plans and purposes. We are just vessels for His glory. Just keep on going and don’t give up doing what God has placed in our hearts to do. We may not or can not see the fruits of our labour but persevere on nevertheless. Trust that God will use our labour for His glory. It will not be in vain. If nothing comes out in this present generation, perhaps something will be in the next! Don’t give up even if something unexpected has occurred. Push on for Christ!
Ronnie's Thoughts 