Responding to Criticism

“In Time of Trouble Say”

Andrew Murray

Ps. 50: 15 "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

“The following incident made a deep impression. One evening when the whole party returned together from a great meeting where a rapt and crowded audience had been addressed by Mr. Murray, he found awaiting him a letter from a well-known man, rilled with severe censures upon him for teaching error. The way the criticism was expressed stirred indignation in all, except Mr. Murray. He only said in his gentle way that if he had been teaching anything wrong, all that he asked was that the Lord would show this to him, that he might make it right. Quite simply they knelt down, and put up that petition; then rising they went in peace to rest. Next day being Sunday, Mr. Murray stayed in bed to rest, For his own guidance he wrote these lines:

 

In time of trouble say:

First, He brought me here, it is by His Will I am in this strait place; in that fact I will rest. 

Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to behave as His child.

Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.

Last, In His good time He can bring me out again — how and when He knows.

Let me say I am here,

(1) By God’s appointment. 

(2) In His keeping,

(3) Under His training 

(4) For His time.

 

“Next day Mr. Murray went straight to the writer of the letter and by his loving intercourse made him his faithful friend.”—W. M. Douglas, Andrew Murray and His Message