April 24

“Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise).” Ephesians 6:2

When I was a young man at college, God showed me I was to go on my vacation to an island which was infested with pirates, to preach the gospel. I visited the island and found the people willing, and after much difficulty I rented a house there.

All this time my parents had said nothing and then, five days before I was to go, they suddenly stepped in and forbade it! What was I to do? The will of God was burning in my heart, but my parents, God-fearing folk, said “No.” I was still a student. I sought light from God and felt it right to submit to my parents, though deeply wounded.

In God’s time the way to that island was opened, and his will that souls should be won there came wonderfully to pass. But this experience had taught me an important lesson. If a thing is written in the Word of God, we dare not cast it aside—we have to submit.