This article is from Issue 7, Called to be Filled With The Holy Spirit
By Corrie Ten Boom
For ten years after my release from prison, I had been travelling all over the world at the direction of God. Many times I did not know why I was to go to a certain place until I arrived and it became second nature to wait on God’s plans. But now I found myself in Basel with no contacts and no idea why I was there. I felt unusually afraid and decided to head back to Holland to await further orders.
On the way to the phone booth I slipped on the wet pavement and before I knew it I was sprawled in the street. A sharp pain shot through my hip and I was unable to stand. “Oh Lord,” I prayed, “lay Your hand on my hip and take away this horrible pain.” Instantly the pain disappeared but I was unable to stand. Kind people helped me to a taxi which took me to the clinic.
An X-ray showed my hip was not broken, only badly bruised. The doctor said I would have to remain in bed for several weeks for it to heal, and I was a very impatient patient! I had only five days to get to a student conference in Germany but my hip was not healing fast enough…I grew irritable.
“Is there not a Christian in all Haarlem who can pray for me to be healed?” I asked.
My friends sent for a minister who was known to have laid hands on the sick for healing, and he came that same afternoon. Standing by my bed he said, “Is there any unconfessed sin in your life?” What an odd question, I thought. Was it his job to get so personal about my sins and attitudes? However, I didn’t have far to look. My impatient and demanding attitude towards my nurse had been wrong, very wrong. I asked her into the room and repented of my sin, asking both her and God for forgiveness.
Satisfied, this gentle man laid his hands on my head. Now, only the year before my sister Nollie had died, and since then my heart had been broken with mourning. I had the feeling of being all alone and insecure, yet as this tall man prayed, I felt a great stream of power flowing through me, such great joy and the mourning left! I felt the presence of The Lord Jesus all around me with His love flowing through me as if I were being immersed in an ocean of grace. My joy became so intense I had to cry out “No more Lord!” My heart felt it was about to burst, I knew it was an infilling of The Holy Spirit.
Ten days later I was on my way to Germany, late, but still filled with joy overflowing. Only after I arrived did I realise why God chose to fill me at this particular time. In Germany, for the first time, I came face to face with many people who were demonised. Had I gone in my power I would have been consumed. Now, going in the power of The Holy Spirit, God was able to work much deliverance through me as we commanded demons to be cast out in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ.
Trying to do The Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting and tedious work of all. But when you are filled with The Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.
Taken from Life On The Altar Publication
Issue 7 Winter 2022/2023
LIFE ON THE ALTAR 