He will deliver the needy who cry out Psalm 72:12

• DAY 14 MORNING PSALM 71-72

• DAY 14 EVENING PSALM 73-74

Wesley continued to preach to the poor, and God continued to confirm his word with signs following, as Wesley relates in his journal:-

'Tuesday April 17 1739.

At five in the afternoon I was at a little society in the Back Lane. The room in which we were was propped beneath, but the weight of people made the floor give way; so that in the beginning of expounding, the post which propped it fell down with a great noise. But the floor sank no farther; so that, after a little surprise at first, they quietly attended to the things that were spoken. Thence I went to Baldwin Street and expounded, as it came in course, the fourth chapter of the Acts. We then called upon God to confirm his word. Immediately one that stood by (to our no small surprise) cried out loud with the utmost vehemence, even as in the agonies of death. But we continued in prayer till “a new song was put in her mouth, a thanksgiving unto our God.” Soon after, two other persons (well known in this place, as labouring to live in all good conscience towards all men) were seized with strong pain, and constrained to roar for the disquietness of their heart.” But it was not long before they likewise burst forth into praise to God their Saviour. The last who called upon God as out of the belly of hell, was a stranger in Bristol. And in a short space he was overwhelmed with joy and love, knowing that God had healed his backslidings. So many living witnesses hath God that his hand is still “stretched out to heal,” and that “signs and wonders are even now wrought by his holy child Jesus.” ’

‘Wednesday April 18 1739.

In the evening …..a Quaker and a few others were admitted into the society. baptized the day before. But *** was scarcely able either to speak or look up…. The sorrows of death compassed her about the pains of hell got hold upon her. We poured out our complaints before God, and showed him of her trouble. And he soon showed he is a God ‘that heareth prayer’. She felt in herself that being justified freely, she had peace with God, through Jesus Christ. She rejoiced in hope of the glory of God, and the love of God was shed abroad in her heart.’

• Thank you for your promise Lord, that you will deliver the needy who cry out, and that you do hear our prayers. Lord, bring to birth another spiritual awakening in our land. Confirm your word with signs following as you have done before, as we see so clearly in the book of Acts and as you did in England in the Methodist revival of 1739. Deliver the needy who cry out. Let there be a bursting forth of praise to God on their lips. We pray for salvation and deliverance! Open up deep wells of salvation in our land, ONCE AGAIN!

REFERENCES


Wesley, J. Journal, April 17th 18th 1739 , Vol 1, 187