In my first year in Seminary, one of my classes was in Biblical Types. The reference material was by Ada Havershon and called “Study of Types.” Upon opening it I noted that it was originally published in 1898 and questioned why we were using such dated literature. Surely there must be more current thought on the subject. However, once into the material, I changed my mind and found her insight truly amazing.
Ada was born in Marylebone, England in 1861 and was raised in a Christian home. In her twenties, she was a member of the circle surrounding Charles Spurgeon. She met Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey (1884) during their preaching tour of England. At their urging, she visited the US, delivering a series of lectures on the Old Testament that were later published along with 17 other books (from 1898 to 1918) ranging from studies on the Priests and Levites to a study on miracles. Most focused on typology.
In 1899 she wrote her first hymn in German. Her first English language hymns came while she was ill in 1901. In 1905, Charles M. Alexander and R. A. Torrey toured the United Kingdom, and Alexander asked her to write hymns for use during this evangelistic tour. Ada ultimately sent Alexander over 200 hymns.
With all her accomplishments, one would think that I would cite a book, one of her songs or some interaction she had with Dwight L. Moody or Charles Spurgeon. However, I come to you with a quote from her Types book that has been profoundly present almost every day of my life from the time I read it. Here is the phrase she used as she explained how the materials for the Temple came together when Moses commanded the people to bring their offerings for its construction:
“So when God asks us to give Him something, He always gives it to us first.”
I used this quote on March 1st in a different context. Today I hope you’ll grasp its true significance and the impact it can have on your life when you ask questions like: “what else can happen today?” or “Haven’t I had enough Lord?” or even “Why me, Lord?” Life is full of stress. Each circumstance induces physical, mental and/or spiritual struggle. Yet somehow we get through them – sometimes well, sometimes not so well and others exhausted and worn to a frazzle.
This is where Ada’s words MUST dominate your heart and spirit because they ring true to scripture (1Peter 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:17, etc.) God does not call a person into His service without equipping them with every one of the physical, mental and spiritual assets necessary to meet or exceed the demands of the circumstances. There are always answers. There are always solutions. There is always growth and development occurring if you will remember that He is Jehovah Jirah – your provider. AND He will always have those answers BEFORE He asks you to respond (Isaiah 65:24).
God’s resources are not always in your bank account, physical strength, brain power or people connections. They are just “there” waiting for you to access them through your needs and prayers. You will never be shortchanged because your resources will only be asked for, IF He has given them to you first. Maybe the tax return WAS for the broken faucet or the kid’s soccer fees. Think about a God who loves you so much He anticipates your needs, gives you what you need so you will have it when you need it. Truly amazing.
Love Dad