Thank you very much for your good letter. I’m now on board the Tordenskiold as ship’s corporal. We will be sailing to the Mediterranean. I was unexpectedly thrown in at the last minute to replace someone who was sick. I have spoken a bit with Truslev on board, but up to now we have had our hands full with the crew. Hope things will improve. This evening I have shore leave until 11:30.

There are any number of things I could write about, but what we need above all else is the strength and power of the Spirit. Theories about things won’t help us, but God’s power will. Theology is the doctrine concerning God, but God Himself far exceeds any doctrine about Him. Full assurance and power in the Spirit comes through growth in God, but the doctrine about God gives no power. Strength of heart is better than strong muscles, and a peaceful heart is like balm from Gilead. Grasp a rose with carnal might, and it will surely close up tight. That’s why in such cases we can neither add nor take away anything. God has ordained that we should be unclothed. How amazing! Just when we think we’ve laid hold of something, we have become ripe for the peeling back of yet another layer, because every time a layer of “clothing” is peeled back, we become more mature and more sound in the faith. That’s why the work is of God and not of ourselves. If it were up to us, we would rather be clothed than unclothed. We would prefer to go from glory to glory without being unclothed and to develop in that way. “When you were younger,” Jesus said to Peter, “you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old . . . another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” Therefore, making progress in Christ means being led where we do not wish to go.

You are reluctant to leave the “clique” you are in, which I also heard Truslev speak about. We must build on God and not on a clique. So, you mustn’t be surprised if one fine day the whole group falls apart. Hold fast to the Rock, even if a landslide comes crashing down around you. It is vital to hold unshakably fast when God sends us trials. This is fairly easy as long as what God sends our way is still honorable by worldly standards, which is often the case in the beginning so that we don’t get totally crushed. However, when God’s will with us begins to lead us in a direction that is dishonorable in the eyes of the world, we feel something quite different. Then it’s a question of whose honor we esteem the most, the honor of God or the honor of man. God builds up a work and tears it down in one day, and who dares to ask, “What are you doing?” God is righteous, even when He takes our life. Even though we might know about this, we must act as if we knew nothing about it. That’s why it’s good to have meetings in your home and to encompass each person in your clique with love. Perhaps when the time of trial comes, you will have won their hearts so that through your steadfastness they will be able to stand. I wish you all the best! Abide in love with forbearance and patience toward all those who come your way. Then your labor in the Lord will not be in vain—either for yourself or for them.

Greet those who are at home, and warmest regards to you too.

Yours,

Address: Tordenskiold, Horten. Until February 1.