WE CAN'T GO IT ALONE

Dear Pastor,

I have been reading the biography of William Wilberforce. He was born in England in 1759 to upper echelon wealthy parents. He was educated at Cambridge and graduated about the age of twenty. By the age of twenty-one he and his college friend, William Pitt the Younger, had been elected to the House of Commons in England. He had, as a young boy, been introduced to Christianity by an aunt and uncle who were devout Christians. They had been greatly influenced by the teachings of John and Charles Wesley. However young William really came to know the Lord when he was twenty-four years old. Christianity was popular with the common man, but not the elite. His grandfather told him he would not leave him a penny.

Shortly after his decision to give it all up for Christ, he wrote these words in his diary, "God Almighty has set before me two great Objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners." This being his mantra, Wilberforce altered the course of Western Civilization including the United States of America. In using the terminology, "Reformation of Manners", he was speaking of reformation of society, culture, morality, ie, all social problems. Young William, for many years, had become aware of the evil of the slave trade. Over time he became assured of God's call on his life to propitiate the justice and righteousness of God.

He surrounded himself with like-minded believers and formed a Christian community commonly known as the Clapham Circle. They lived in a large twelve bedroom house where their community lived together, prayed together, and shared life together. Wilberforce knew and believed two things: (1.) He was willing to share the credit for all that he did with others, and (2.) he had an uncanny characteristic and ability to work with disagreeable people. He was able to see the world problems through God's perspective, yet very few saw what he saw. He quickly came to the conclusion that the battle was the Lord's.

He soon received a letter from John Wesley in 1791, who at that time was eighty-seven years old and on his death bed. He died just a few days after sending Wilberforce his letter, but he was well aware of the challenge before the young Wilberforce. He wrote:

"Dear Sir:

Unless the divine power has raised you up to be as Athanasius contra mundum ([against the world], I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that execrable villainy, which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils.

But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? 0 be not weary of well-doing. Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it.

Reading this morning a tract wrote by a poor African, I was particularly struck by that circumstance, that a man who has black skin, being wronged or outraged by a white man, can have no redress; it being a law in all our Colonies that the oath of a black against a white goes for nothing. What villainy is this! 

That He who has guided you from youth up may continue to strengthen you in this and all things is my prayer.

Your affectionate servant,

John Wesley" * 

In 1807, at the age of forty-eight and after eighteen years of defeats in the House of Commons and threats on his life William Wilberforce's dream became a reality. The slave trade law was broken. Sadly Wilberforce and his team of abolitionists quickly came to realize their work was not over; the slave trade law was very difficult to enforce and very profitable for those willing to break the law. Finally in 1833 after another ten years of battle and just three days before his death, he received the good news that slavery in itself had been abolished. So the man, William Wilberforce, on his last day of consciousness departed this life and could say I finished my purpose and calling in obedience to the God who had created him. 

The world Wilberforce left was a changed world from the one he had entered seventy-three years before. The slavery issue had not only been dealt with, but one aspect of the "Manners of the Day" was birthed. The thought that the less fortunate should be helped and watched over indicated a change in the deep thoughts of the soul and impregnated the thought of the West, even the United States of America. 

What a testimony of a man who took the gifts and talents of God and with God's help and his obedience to his Lord was able to accomplish so much and fulfill his call and purposes that God had chosen for him. This is not for us to compare our lives with him or anyone else, but to question if I am using God's gifts and talents and do I have an intimate relationship with Him that I might sense His leading. 

Next month we will continue on the thought of "we can't do it alone" and will be looking at Paul's request of the Roman church to pray for him. (Romans 15:30-32) 

I can only imagine the challenges you have as a pastor! You are continually on my heart and the hearts of our ServingHIM prayer team. We pray that God will strengthen you, overwhelm you with His peace and presence and protect you, your family, and your church from COVID 19. May our Lord bless you in all your ways and give you fresh insight and vision for staying connected with your people. 

You are a blessing for us at ServingHim as we co-labor as partners with you.

Brother Gene Lamberth

ServingHIM Prayer Team Lead

*Much of the history and many of my thoughts were taken from a book authored by Eric Metaxas: 7 Men And The Secret Of Their Greatness. (Chapter 2)