“He shall not fail”. What a varied ministry was that of Jehovah’s Perfect Servant! He ministered to a variety of people, with a variety of needs, in a variety of places. But whatever the time, whatever the task, whatever the circumstances, He did not, could not, fail. Nothing could deflect Him from the path of the will of God.
Notice the changing circumstances in the opening chapter of the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of the Perfect Servant. He stands in the river; He departs to the wilderness; He returns to the seashore; He is in the synagogue; then in a fisherman’s cottage; now back to the wilderness again. But wherever He is, whatever He does, it is always true, “He shall not fail”. His was a ministry of steadfast determination to do always and only those things that pleased the Father.
In that same first chapter of Mark, such a variety of need presents itself to Him. There is a man with an unclean spirit, a woman with a fever, a multitude with many diseases, and a poor man full of leprosy. Throughout the chapters which follow there is more demon possession, more disease and deformity, men that are deaf and some who are dumb. There is a raging storm on the lake, frightening even those experienced Galilean fishermen, a hungry multitude needing to be fed, and a little girl in the cold grasp of death. Such need! How will the Perfect Servant cope with it? “He shall not fail”. Neither demons, disease, death, or the deep can deter Him. He will not deviate from His determination to live and serve for Jehovah’s pleasure.
Eighteen miracles are crowded into the first eleven chapters of Mark’s Gospel. These, with a series of parables and a lengthy prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives, engage Him almost until the Passover. Then, the sorrow of Gethsemane, the blasphemy of the high priest’s palace, the mockery of the Roman judgment hall, the agony of Golgotha, and the solitude of the tomb.
How many a servant would have faltered, and failed, but He walked and served and suffered resolutely. It was the will of God for Him. He had come to do that, and whatever the cost, He would do it. He did the will of God; He did it perfectly; and He delighted to do it. At the end of a busy life He could say, “I have glorified Thee on the earth” (John 17:4).
Well might we enter Mark’s Gospel with that word ringing in our ears and in our hearts, “He shall not fail”, and then see it so accurately fulfilled throughout every succeeding chapter. His was a steadfast ministry indeed.
Reports
The assembly in Tayport had the Bible Exhibition in their recently extended and refurbished hall at the beginning of September and it proved to be a very profitable week.
The small assembly in Stornoway on the island of Lewis must be one of the most isolated in the UK, and does not get many visitors.
4 weeks of Tent meetings on a School playing field in Bicester with Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen in August saw over 70 unsaved in attendance and one young girl professing to be saved.The children's meetings in the mornings of the first week, conducted by local brethren, saw new contacts being made.
Alan Barber writes about the Tall Ships opportunity in Hartllepool
The small assembly in Stromness again used the occasion of the annual July “shopping week” to reach out with the gospel.
Outreach and Encouragement
Here are a number of reports for Co. Antrim and also notice of some forthcoming meetings D.V.
Belmont Hall, Harrow, held its 21st Annual Holiday Bible Club for 3 hours every afternoon from 26th-30th July. The theme for the week was the “I am” sayings of Christ. About 45 attended each day. The assembly was very encouraged that over half of the children were new contacts, with some very keen to join the Sunday School and mid-week children’s meeting when they resume in September.
The assembly at Chappell Street invited Stephen Grant to conduct a series of gospel meetings in June. There was good support from other assemblies in Renfrewshire.The assembly was encouraged by the attendance of some from the town who must have been challenged by the powerful messages delivered each night. The gospel was also brought before the town in the many invitations distributed before and during the meetings. We pray that we shall yet see fruit from the seed sown.
Tent meetings began in late July. Good response in the morning children's meetings and help to preach in the evenings for Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen (Canada).
Nitish and Elen Patel write in their newsletter;
Gospel meetings with Roland Pickering.
Alan Barber reports from Hartlepool.
Various Reports from NI at end June
Various meetings to be held D.V. for your prayerful interest and support.
J Rogers was with this small assembly for the four weeks of June. 10,000 invitations were distributed. Good numbers attended, some local, others from neighbouring assemblies. M Radcliffe helped for the first 2 weeks and W Fenton for the last 2 weeks. There was help to preach and the Christians were encouraged. Prayer appreciated for this needy area.