An earthquake shakes the ground, but it cannot shake the soul that is founded upon the Rock. Give thanks to God that no major harm came, and pray not only for protection from such tremors, but that your own heart remain firm when the world shifts beneath you. God permits these things not to destroy you, but to rouse you from every sleep, that you may set your hope entirely on the life to come.
You go on a mission as an interpreter, a good and lowly labor for the Gospel. Do not say, “I have but one talent, and can do nothing,” for you can by that one talent approve yourself. Paul had women who labored with him in the Gospel, and he counted their names in the book of life. So your service, though it seem small, is done for God’s glory and for the common advantage, and nothing is more pleasing to Him than to live for the benefit of others.
As for your health, entrust it to the Lord, but do not demand from Him a miracle as if He were a debtor. He knows what is best. Whether you are strong or weak, bear it as a crown. The body may be frail, but the inner man is renewed day by day. Whatever strength you need, He will supply, that you may endure the week and finish the task set before you.
Your brother rages at the mention of God. Judge not according to appearance; his words may be bitter, but the wound in his soul is what you must see. Do not fight back with arguments, but conquer his irritation by your patience. Remember, the Lord endured opposition from sinners against Himself; you can endure a brother’s outbursts. And do not despair of his change. Even Peter, after so great a fall, was restored; shall not he who stumbles arise? Cease not praying for him, and let your life be a quiet testimony.
Concerning that pastor, your heartache is plain. A man in office, married, approached you with a hidden agenda, and when you refused, he vanished. You did well to flee from that stumbling block. If meat causes a brother to stumble, I would not eat it, Paul says; but if a man causes another to stumble by unclean desires, how much more must he be avoided! In this he defrauded you of a holy friendship, but he stripped himself far more of God’s help. Bear this overreaching generously; he is ruining himself, not you. Commend him to the Lord, that He would touch his heart and restore him to repentance and to the calling he has shamefully abandoned. No sin is beyond God’s mercy if the sinner truly returns, but let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. And for yourself, walk in wisdom, giving no occasion for such sin again.
Take courage. Your names are written in the book of life, not because you are without trial, but because you hold fast. Neither let the enemy shake your confidence, nor let the conduct of others poison your soul with bitterness. Pray without ceasing, and the peace of God will keep you.