MANY years ago there were living, in a lonely part of the country, a man and his wife who had both received Jesus as their Saviour, and knew God as their Father; to whom they were able with confidence to commit themselves for guidance and protection throughout each day.
One afternoon, as the wife (who was naturally of a timid, nervous disposition), was sitting alone in her cottage, a loud knock came at the door. Upon opening it, there stood before her a sturdy beggar, of forbidding appearance. He asked her for money. She replied that she had none to give, as her husband, who was employed on a neighboring farm, was very poor.
At this the man became most angry, and told her that he would allow her a few minutes to get together for him all the money she had; and that if, at the expiration of that time, she still refused to give him what he demanded, he would kill her, and search for it. Meanwhile he would, he said, take a walk down a lane close by the cottage.
The same afternoon a Christian gentleman, residing several miles away, was out for a walk in the neighborhood. As he went along, it occurred to him to visit the poor woman, whom he well knew. So crossing some fields, he reached her door, unperceived by the beggar, just as the latter had turned away to walk in the lane, as he said, while the money was being got ready for him. Finding the door open, the gentleman stepped in, and beheld the now trembling and terror-stricken woman in prayer to God for help. She started on hearing a footstep, and to her joy found that, instead of the man whose return she so much dreaded, the Lord had sent a friend to deliver her. She soon explained the cause of her distress, and the gentleman was quite prepared suitably to receive, upon his next appearance, the one who intended, at least, to rob her of the small sum which she possessed.
In a few minutes they heard the beggar again approaching the door; but when, instead of a weak woman, he found himself confronted by a strong man, he was quite taken aback, and, without uttering a word, ran off as fast as his feet could carry him.
The two Christians then knelt down together, and unitedly thanked God, their Father, that He had heard the cry of faith, and had sent the needed help in a time of deep distress.
All who have, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, become children of God, may, in seasons of trial and danger, confidently count upon His ready hand to help, His outstretched arm to save, when they call upon Him. He says,
We would earnestly warn the unsaved reader that he is exposed to a peril more dreadful than that of the one of whom we have written. He has a fearful foe, who, “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8)), who “was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:4444Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)), who first deceives, and then destroys.
Jesus, the Son of God, came into the very place of the sinner’s danger, that He might rescue him from his perilous position, and be his Deliverer “from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:1010And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)). The Lord Jesus is in heaven now, “mighty to save” those who cry to Him in their need. Such He will always receive, and “in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
ML 03/26/1933