David Hathaway

How do we know God is with us when we are in the midst of trial and tribulation? Moses asked this very question, to which God responded in the most unusual way: ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain’ (Exodus 3.12). You will know God is with you, when, after you have come through your tribulation and are living in victory, you will look back and see the Hand of God guiding and directing you. God will say, ‘I led, I was in control; I Am.’ In retrospect, when we look back on our lives – and this is the advantage I have at my age – the one thing I am conscious of, as I look back over my life, every step, every decision, everything that happened, was part of God’s plan and purpose: to the extent that looking back, I need to give God the glory for all that He has done in my life. – This is the evidence of God: it is in the retrospect that He was leading us.

Most of us experience some powerful storms in our lives. That is why we need the reality of the Man who can conquer them. Let me challenge you: what kind of Man is Jesus? Wherever I go, He’s in the boat. I’d rather be in a ‘storm’ with Jesus than living in calm and peace without Him. I want you to know this real Jesus in your life. 'Jesus Your love has lifted me' by www.vinesong.com

I want you to experience the glory of God; to behold Him face to face. During those months of torture and suffering in a communist prison, I had an experience which transformed my life; it was as if I experienced heaven in that prison cell. Yes, I have seen the power of God in my life! Not some emotional experience in a conference, but step by step walking closer to God – my teenage cry for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, my two cancers, the prison – and many other problems and miracles. Every step is another miracle towards experiencing the power and glory of God! 'I behold Your Glory' used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com

Where is God when we are in the midst of tribulation? - He is right there with us, a very present help in our times of trouble. It is easy to feel God's presence when we are on the mountain top, celebrating His goodness; but the Scripture implies that whilst He is present in our good times, He is very present in our distress. Some years ago I was invited to speak at a conference. The theme was how we can know God, how we can come into His presence. I took as my Scripture Deuteronomy 4:29, 'If from where you are you shall seek the Lord Your God you shall find Him'. You will find God when you are in tribulation, when all the problems of life have come on you. God will use the very circumstances you are in to work a miracle in a demonstration of His Power. 

It is so important to pray for our loved ones. As you know, not only am I a father, but I am a grandfather and great-grandfather, so I feel a burden to pray for their futures: join with me in prayer as we pray blessing upon all our families at this time of distress in our nation. The Scripture teaches, 'The Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments' (Deuteronomy 7.9). What a wonderful promise! 'Lord You are One most worthy' used by kind permission www.vinesong.com

Oh the joy of answered prayer; the relief of burdens lifted and the excitement of new beginnings. We have a God of power, glory and miracles - He is a prayer-answering God. We can all have this relationship with Him. If you are sick, or crippled, in despair, alone, whoever you are, wherever you are - God will hear you, God will answer your prayer like He has answered mine! It is not about religion; it is not about ceremony - it is about finding a new reality, a new relationship with Jesus. I know God is alive and delights in answering our prayers.  'I behold Your Glory' used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com

My prayer is that God would open our eyes so that we live in the faith of the coming miracle. We need to get before the Lord and ask Him to open our eyes so that we can see - see beyond the constraints of today, the tribulations of tomorrow. I am living beyond every hindrance. I'm seeing the light of the Kingdom and the Glory of God. O God, open our eyes and give us a glimpse of the Glory of the Heavenly Jerusalem, in Jesus Name, Amen. 'Light above the Heavens' used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com

We need to have a clear vision of God's plan and purposes. Something tangible. The Bible instructs us to write it down and make it plain to read. All my life I've been working towards a goal; something I see in my spirit. As I look back over my life and ministry, I see what God has done, and because of this, I have an absolute confidence that God is going to continue to lead and direct my steps.

God tests our reaction! Many of the things which happen to us serve a purpose; they occur, not by chance, but by divine planning. I want to challenge you: God is interested in your reaction to events, will you trust Him or give in to fear? God tests our faith, just as He tested the faith of the Israelites by allowing them to go through hard times in the wilderness, ‘to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands’ (Deuteronomy 8:2, NIV).

Use this time of lockdown to seek God’s purpose for your life. Whatever your job may be – not everybody can be a preacher; I couldn’t do what I do without the wide variety skills and talents of the staff in my ministry – work as until the Lord; following His instruction and guidance, then whatever you set your hand to, will prosper and succeed. Maybe today the Lord is telling you to throw down your net, but this time on the other side of the boat. 'Holy Spirit move me now' used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com

How do we seek God in the midst of chaos and uncertainty? Moses gives us the answer, ‘If from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them’ (Deuteronomy 4.29-31).

This pandemic is an unprecedented crisis. So often I quote the Scripture from Romans 1:16, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the Power of God! Whatever nation we live in, politicians and scientists do not have the answer, but God does! He is revealing His Power now! Jesus was revealed to destroy the works of the enemy. 'Jesus Your love has lifted me' used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com

As Christians we are facing an extreme challenge. The Holy Spirit is alerting me to what is happening in Britain and Europe! We need to be aware that the devil is using both the Coronavirus and the economic crash to move us further into prophecy for the coming of the Antichrist. The Lord is being very specific with me and calling us to react positively now. I am praying that God will open our eyes and show us not what man’s strategy is, but what is clearly God’s strategy through this crisis! Join me as I pray for Britain.

God always has a clear plan and strategy in everything He does. From creation to salvation, nothing has happened in heaven or earth without the foreknowledge of God. An important part of the strategy which God has for today is that He wants to show that His power is not just in heaven, but also demonstrated very powerfully on earth. I have a vision of a God who is so much bigger than you or I can ever imagine! The God of the Bible, has so much more power, is so much bigger, more glorious, more exciting than anything you could dream about! So, start dreaming, but then for God’s sake stop dreaming and start to do something! Lessons from 70 years of ministry: 'For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance.' (Part 12) 'Fire of Revival' used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com

As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, I want to share my personal testimony of God’s faithfulness and deliverance at that time. I was a child through the War, 13 when my father took us to London to celebrate VE Day. God does preserve, and He will protect! God has sustained me through so many trials – and God will preserve us through this Coronavirus. He is the Lord our Deliverer. Yes, we will walk through many dark valleys, but He is the Good Shepherd, a present help in times of need.

If God exists why does he allow suffering? This question has been in people’s minds very much recently. God is not responsible for natural disasters; these have a natural explanation. But God has more than once used disasters as a warning, for example, as it was in the days of Noah, or the plagues in Egypt. Is God allowing something big enough to shake people out of their total apathy and indifference, and at least reawaken some moral conscience. Lessons from 70 years of ministry: 'For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance.' (Part 11) 'Heaven is God's Throne' used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com

Do we recognise the Power and Authority of Jesus? In Matthew 8 we have an incredible contrast in how people viewed Him. The chapter opens with the story of the Roman Centurion who comes to Jesus on behalf of his servant, and then it closes with Jesus calming the storm. The Centurion says to Jesus, “I recognise the authority You have; if You speak the word, my servant will be healed.” Jesus then commends the man by saying, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith!” Whereas later, in the midst of a storm, the disciples who had followed Jesus, seen His miracles said, “What kind of Man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” What a challenge to us! Do we recognise the Power and Authority of Jesus? Do we trust Him in the midst of our storms? Are we trusting Him now during this pandemic? Are we going to be bold in our faith, like the Centurion was, and declare, “Jesus, You have the authority”? Or will we shrink back in fear like the disciples? 'Holy You are Lord' used by kind permission w

Our life is in Christ, He is our source and provider: we live by the Words which proceed out of the mouth of God. Jesus said you must be born again; and just as with all new life, we must be fed; and our food is the Bread of life, the very Word of God. Build your life on the Bread of Life. Consume it as a vital necessity. "He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:3.) 'Jesus has risen & Jude' used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com

In Luke 8:45, a woman in great distress because of an incurable sickness came to Jesus. Jesus KNEW she had reached out to Him, because He felt virtue pass to her. Like her, you are not able to physically touch Jesus, but you can reach out to Him through prayer and worship. Whatever your problem: whether it is sickness, financial or other distress, come to Jesus. And like with that woman, He will turn around and say, "Child of Mine, go in peace, your faith has healed you." 'Another Touch' used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com

This is a day of celebration, because we remember passing through death into life. We mustn’t live in pain and fear because of the lockdown but live with joy and excitement for the freedom which awaits. The Scripture teaches that Jesus for the joy which was before Him endured the cross. Come on, be full of joy this Easter for great joy awaits you! I know for myself, when this lockdown is lifted, it will be like a resurrection experience. I am bursting with energy and enthusiasm to preach the Gospel and see souls saved into the Kingdom! ‘The church of Christ, we now must stand, to give our all to bless this land. From every tribe we now must come, around Your throne to be as one.’ The Cross of Christ by www.vinesong.com