Excerpt from the sermon “A Grain of Wheat” by Major Ian Thomas (1914-2007)

(As a child of God in union with Christ), nothing can confound you. For there is implanted within your soul the life of the One who is never less than adequate at any time for any situation. No matter what threat may come your way; no matter how dark the clouds on the horizon; no matter how fierce the storm that breaks upon your head.

You can be sitting in a dungeon with Silas, in the dirtiest part of the dungeon, and you can have such a praise meeting that you keep the other prisoners awake at night. And you can imagine the sort of conversation these two had. Paul looking to Silas: “What do you think God has in store for us? Sometimes He puts us in the Grand Hotel, but He must have something very, very special for us to stick us in a place like this! I say, Silas, what do you think God has in mind?”

And Silas says, “I haven’t a clue, Paul, but it is always going to be something exciting because, you know, we’ve learned that God never puts us anywhere at any time but to do something thrilling. Things don’t look too good, and they don’t smell too well, but I say, Paul, isn’t this a thrilling life to know that every day that dawns is a sheer adventure of God unfolding His eternal purpose?!”

And they burst into song! And just as they are singing together, suddenly Silas says, “Paul, LOOK OUT!!” And they duck, and there’s an earthquake thrown in.

And you know, when the dust has settled and they rub their eyes… there’s a man waiting in the inquiry room.