I have been reading K. Moody Stuart’s biography of Brownlow North, published by Banner of Truth. Stuart records several letters that people wrote to thank Brownlow North for his preaching ministry. One particular letter struck me as a bright example that I want to follow.
This is an excerpt from a letter an English lady wrote to Brownlow North on March 3rd, 1862.
“My Dear Sir — I desire to express my warm gratitude, first to God, and then to you, who were the means to me of enlightening and quickening in the way of grace. … The Bible has depths I never saw before; Jesus Christ is to me ‘wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.’ I cannot praise Him enough for revealing Himself to me; and I am most grateful to you, dear sir, as having been the means of showing me this new life. I thank you especially for having shown it so clearly in the Bible; for now, if any doubts arise, I can turn at once to those passages, Romans 3:20-24 and 10:104, which brought me, through the grace of God, life and salvation….”
We see three aspects of this encouragement. First, all praise is given to God, for every good and perfect gift comes from above. Second, gratitude is expressed to the human agent God had used., acknowledging the means God employs. And third, her gratitude was expressed in having scriptures to refer back to. Glory to God, thankfulness for human means, and a firm foundation in the Scriptures. This woman, a sister in Christ, whose initials are M.J.F., has encouraged me through this letter.
Sound Teaching, Sound Living 