A few weeks ago I (David) had to give devotion at the monthly prayer meeting of CABTAL and SIL. I waited until the night before to prepare and the power had gone out so I sat with my candle, Bible and pad of paper not knowing really what I would talk about.

Normally one of the general director’s of the two organizations gives this devotion and they both do a great job of tying in what God is doing in one or both of our organizations to encourage everyone in attendance. But neither of them was going to be in town, so I was next in line. Most of my time during the previous two weeks had been spent working to get a former member repatriated back to the United States, not really an encouraging subject even though the funeral the day before was a great testimony to his life. What I was doing for the last several days involved me being on the phone with numerous people in an effort to get the Meta New Testaments out of the port so they could make it to the dedication that would be the next day.

So I decided to do my devotion Isaiah 55:6-13 with my focus on verse 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  I shared some of the thoughts that I have about planning, organization, and shipping arriving as scheduled.  And I agreed that some of my ways were definitely not in line with God’s ways, especially in how I relate to taxi drivers who insist on making additional lanes. We ended by praying for the Meta New Testaments to be released, for the Meta speakers and above all for God’s will to be done.

The New Testaments were released from the port 2 days after the dedication and were being distributed to the many people who were at the dedication. I don’t know why they weren’t released on time, only God does. Was this a failure? Depends on how you look at it, but many would say yes. I know His ways are not my ways, but now I know that He can even use a failure to deliver the Meta New Testaments for His glory.

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

Dr Peter Yuh, Translation Consultant who helped the team, with the one locally printed copy of the Meta NT
(photo credit – CABTAL Facebook page)