Letters from Heaven Episode 24 – The Wound Within

 

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Letters from Heaven

Episode 24 – The Wound Within

When Betrayal Wears a Familiar Face

The revival had become a movement.
David now travelled between towns, preaching under makeshift tents and open skies. Testimonies followed like ripples in a pond. Yet with growth came complexity — volunteers, finances, coordination.

Among those helping him was Samuel, a young man David had personally mentored. Samuel was fiery, eloquent, and eager to serve. David often said, “He reminds me of myself when I first began.”

Mama smiled but watched quietly. “Be gentle with him,” she would say. “Fire can warm, but it can also burn.”

In time, Samuel became David’s right hand — organizing crusades, managing offerings, and handling reports. But slowly, admiration turned to ambition. People began whispering, “Samuel preaches almost as powerfully as David.”

He started believing it.

One evening, while counting offerings, he muttered, “Without me, none of this would run smoothly.”
Another volunteer overheard and warned David gently, but he waved it off. “He’s young,” he said. “He’ll learn.”

Weeks later, David returned from a mission trip to find confusion everywhere. Samuel had launched his own revival meetings — using David’s name, contacts, and resources. Worse, rumors had spread that David was misusing church funds.

The heartbreak cut deeper than any public criticism. This was someone who had prayed with him in the ashes, eaten at Mama’s table, and called him brother.

That night, David didn’t pray grand prayers. He simply knelt and wept.
“Lord,” he whispered, “why allow those closest to me to strike the deepest wounds?”

And again, the still small voice came:
“Because I am teaching you to love without possession, to give without demand, to lead without control.”

Days later, when Samuel’s movement began to collapse under pride and confusion, he came back — broken, ashamed, trembling.
“Sir, I… I’ve sinned against you. Against God.”

David looked at him, long and quiet. Then he opened his arms. “Come home, my son. The fire is still burning.”

Mama stood behind them, tears glistening in her eyes. “This,” she whispered, “is the real miracle.”

The revival didn’t just restore the sick — it healed hearts. And though David bore scars, those scars became oil, teaching him to lead with grace instead of pride.

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✨ End of Episode 24

📖 Scripture Echo:
“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” —Psalm 41:9
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” —Luke 23:34

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