THE MANY THOUGHTS OF GOD

In Psalm139we read that the thoughts of God are more in number than the sand. That is a little hard to imagine, but I do know of one case where I could see that it is true. I want to tell the story, although I know that some of you have heard it at one time or another.

The story begins in the early 1900s when Anglican missionaries came to Uganda. Their Christianity was more “British culture” than Biblically Christian. They began by bringing the children into schools, teaching biblical stories and reading and writing and also how to dress in western clothes and eat properly. As the children grew up some of them became priests and lay leaders. A cathedral was set up in the capital city, Kampala, mud and grass churches built out in the countryside and, of course, a training center for the priests. To the Anglican missionaries this was Christianity.

There was one more thing that they had which made all the difference. They had readers. As most could not read, each Sunday the reader would read a passage of Scripture. These people are quick to learn and in time got to know much of the Bible. In the early 1930s the Holy Spirit came down on these people and many of them were saved as the Spirit opened their minds. Those who were saved began to meet together, not just on Sunday but also during the week, for bible study, prayer sharing experiences.

In the 1970s a couple. David and Beatrice Kayigwa, were invited to join one of these groups. They did so and in time became truly born again Christians. They changed from being a couple whom enjoyed every fleshly sin to becoming a godly couple.

Beatrice had a brother, Joseph. The two had always been quite close and she began to speak to him, encouraging him to become a Christian. Joseph felt that he had to give up too many things that he enjoyed doing.

In the 1980s the Bible League came into Uganda with some good Bible based studies. Within a few years thousands of Anglican church people were taking these studies with many being saved. I hired David Kayigwa as the director of the work in Uganda. As his sister, Beatrice, was involved in the work Joseph felt that he should also take the course, which was a twenty-five week study. At the same time, he was quite determined that he would not become a Christian, although like many other unsaved people he was a church member. There were about one hundred people taking the course at the same time that Joseph did, perhaps in six or seven different groups. After they finished the study course we had a special graduation for them in one of the country churches. Beatrice was hoping that Joseph would come to the graduation as the gospel would again be clearly presented. In fact, of the one hundred fifty, over fifty came to Christ either while going through the studies or at the meeting.

To Beatrice disappointment Joseph did not come and she really gave upon him at that point. Well, on the way back to David and Beatrice’ house she wanted to drop off food at her mother’s place. She lived on a dirt road about two miles off the main road that we were on. Just about the time we arrived at the road leading to her mother’s house it started to rain. It was not possible to take this two-lane track when it was wet. Beatrice decided that, as Joseph lived nearby on the main road she would leave the food there and have him take it to their mother

When we stopped at Joseph’s house we found that he was down with malaria and unable to come although he had very much wanted to. While taking the lessons the Holy Spirit had convicted him and he really wanted to be saved. He was not sure just how to go about it and thought someone at the meeting could help him. David and Beatrice were, of course, able to lead him to the Lord.

Now, think of all the steps God took just for Joseph: First of all, about a hundred years ago the missionaries came from England long before Joseph was born. Fifty years before the Holy Spirit came in power on the church of which Joseph was a member.
Ten years before this Joseph’s sister and brother-in-law became Christians but could not persuade Joseph.
He was determined not to become a Christian. After going through the study course Joseph finally decided to become a Christian.but Satan gave him a malaria attack so that he could not come to the meeting.At this point, although Beatrice gave up on him, God did not. He sent the rain which overruled Satan’s plans and worked things out in such a way that Beatrice stopped by his house.
This is what we know about. That’s the tip of the iceberg. Think of all the things we can’t see.