The Weakest Christian

An old-time preacher once said that there are 3 things God does when He desires to bring someone out of darkness into His marvelous light:

1. He introduces someone in their life to be and example of His grace.

2. He gets that person to intercede on their behalf in prayer.

3. He gets that person to witness to them.

No matter your race, color, age, or creed, if you are saved by the grace of God, God has not left you here in this sin-sick world to do nothing. The weakest Christian, if nothing else, is called to a ministry of prayer.

As Charles Spurgeon once said, “I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.”

William Cowper was a prolific poet and hymn writer who often fought bouts of deep depression. Though his life was marred by that devilish sickness, God used Cowper to write upwards of 68 hymns. Perhaps his crowning achievement was writing one of the most treasured hymns of all time: "There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood." He is also attributed with co-authoring along with John Newton the greatest hymn ever written: "Amazing Grace."

I truly believe that some of the greatest people God has ever used have been greatly afflicted in this life. Though they often traverse this life unknown to the better part of Christendom, they are highly esteemed in heaven. Though they may never be invited to speak in front of large crowds, they have a far greater treasure in heaven. Though they may never see their names in broadway lights, their name is written in heaven. Though their deeds may never be recognized here in this life, there are multitudes of millions who owe their eternal souls to their faithfulness to Gospel of Jesus Christ and to their patience in suffering.

"When William Cowper, who had suffered from severe depression since the death of his mother when he was just six years old, was faced with the prospect of a final law examination before the House of Lords, he experienced a mental breakdown that he never fully recovered from. Having been sent to St. Alban’s asylum for eighteen months, he began to read the Bible, which brought some peace to his mind, and he was able to leave and live with his good family friend, famed author of “Amazing Grace,” John Newton. Newton helped Cowper recover, and together Cowper and Newton wrote poetry and religious verse, which they later published in their own hymnal. “There is a Fountain Filled With Blood” is one such hymn, and it is a dramatic illustration of Cowper’s faith. The last verse in particular speaks to Cowper’s hope of redemption; it reads, “When this poor lisping, stamm’ring tongue lies silent in the grave, then in a nobler, sweeter song I’ll sing thy pow’r to save.” The mental breakdown at his examination gave Cowper a lisp and stutter that he had the rest of his life, but he knew there was a greater song to be sung than any his earthly voice could raise, a song of praise to the dying Lamb." – Hymnary.org

There is a fountain filled with blood

Drawn from Immanuel's veins;

And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,

Lose all their guilty stains:

Lose all their guilty stains,

Lose all their guilty stains;

And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,

Lose all their guilty stains.