In
1789 Rev. John Newton, the author of the famous hymn Amazing Grace, played a major role in the difficult effort to
abolish slavery in the British Empire.
But in the midst of that effort a much more difficult circumstance
occurred when Polly, his wife of forty years, became very ill. For nearly eighteen months her condition
slowly worsened and each day became an agonizing wait for her death. On December 15, 1790, Polly Newton died after
a long, painful, and strenuous battle.
The
same day Polly passed away, John Newton was visiting the sick in his church and
preparing for the sermon he would give the following Sunday. He even gave the eulogy at Polly’s funeral,
something that was looked down upon by the people of that time. Many saw John’s actions as uncaring and
unloving, but it was far from the truth.
John
Newton struggled through an eighteen-month storm, slowly watching the life of
his wife ebb away. That storm could have
easily turned him away from God, but instead his faith increased and his love
and reliance upon God strengthened. So
much so that he was able to move forward in life quickly, knowing he would see
her again and that the Father would be his constant strength and rescuer in
times of need.
Join
us this week at ElmCreek Community Church as we look at John 6:16-21. In this passage Jesus walks on the water in
the midst of a storm, while his disciples struggle through the wind and waves to
get their boat to shore. May we be
prayerfully prepared to discover how the Father takes care of his children in
the midst of the storms of life, even when those children are sinking under the
waves.
Striving to know Christ and make Him known,
Pastor Mark
