Can one person make a difference? Of course! Just think of Rosa Parks, a humble black housemaid who stood by her convictions and would not give up her seat to a white person on an American public bus. That one act changed a nation! History tells us of many individuals who made a significant difference in their generation to advance the kingdom of God. We can talk of Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, John Wycliffe, John and Susanna Wesley, Charles Finney, Billy Graham, and Fanny Crosby. The list could continue, but what if I mentioned the names of Peggy and Christine Smith? Their names are little known to history at all. Permit me to share what they accomplished to further the kingdom of God.
Off the west coast of Scotland is a small group of islands called the Hebrides. Between 1949 and 1952, a revival swept through these islands in answer to the prayers of Peggy and Christine Smith. They were 84 and 82 years of age, Peggy, the eldest, being completely blind. After hearing an update about the low spiritual state of the Hebrides, there not being one young person attending church services, Peggy and Christine began to pray and ask God to change the situation in their church. Unable to participate in public worship, their humble cottage became a sanctuary where they met with God. To them came the promise: “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground” (Isaiah 44:3). They took this Scripture and made it their prayer before God, day and night in prayer. One night Peggy had a revelation from God. She felt that God had answered her prayer and assured her that revival was coming, which would cause the church of her fathers to be crowded again with young people!
The evangelist, Duncan Campbell, was asked if he would come to the Islands and preach. He declined because of previous commitments elsewhere, but God rearranged his schedule so that he could attend this small church in the Hebrides. Here in his own words, is Duncan's testimony of what happened:
They had me arranged to address the church at a short meeting beginning at nine o'clock that night. It was an extraordinary meeting. God sovereignly moved, and there was an awareness of God, which was beautiful. The meeting lasted until four o'clock in the morning, and I had not witnessed anything to compare with it at any other time during my ministry. Around midnight, a group of young people left a disco and crowded into the church. Some people couldn't go to sleep because God so gripped them.
Although there was an awareness of God and a spirit of conviction at this initial meeting, the real breakthrough came a few days later on a Sunday night in the parish church. The church was packed, and the Spirit of God was moving in such a way that I couldn't preach. I just stood still and gazed upon the wonderful presence of God. Men and women were crying out to God for mercy all over the church. I made no appeal whatsoever. After meeting for over three hours, I pronounced the benediction and told the people to go out but mentioned that any who wanted to continue the meeting could come back later.
This powerful revival began when a couple of senior ladies cried out to the Lord in prayer. Couldn't this happen in your community? Keith Thomas
Continued tomorrow, or you can read the more in-depth copy at the link: God Uses Ordinary Believers.
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