A missionary, his young wife and little baby were in their ox-cart in India, bumping along the road home from the mission headquarters. Things were not going as well as they might. The missionary’s wife was sick; their expenses had been more than usual; and now they were going back home without any money.
Faith? The missionary’s mind was questioning his heart as he rode along beside his sleeping wife. Faith, according to the Word of God was the evidence of things not seen. The money that was to supply the needs of their household for the coming month was surely among those “things not seen.” Being occupied with these things, the enemy came in and threatened to rob him of all his joy and confidence in God.
“So this is how God deals with His children!” the enemy whispered, “You are taking your wife back into the jungles to let her die. She’s a sick woman, and you know that there is not a doctor in miles. And you haven’t any money to provide any comfort or help. She’s going to die and leave you alone. Is this what God has called you to?”
“O, Father, unless Thou dost help, I falter, I fail!” The prayer was but an anguished breath, but God heard. The promises of God began to fill the mind of the missionary. He began to recall and give thanks for the many times God had delivered and helped in times past. Doubts and fears fled, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, filled his heart, as he laid hold of that verse in Philippians 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6): “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
With calm assurance he entered upon his duties. The following day a letter came from his Uncle John. He placed it in his pocket to wait and read with his wife. As he walked home from the village, he thought of his Uncle John. His letters were always so encouraging, and many times the missionary had felt the influence of his prayers. But today there was a feeling akin to disappointment in the young man’s heart. He had hoped against hope that some money would come today. And Uncle John had never been able to send money.
“God has heard, and He will answer,” he told himself, and with firmly set lips he bade the enemy go.
At home they opened the letter together. It started off as usual, and before they finished the first page, they were weeping for joy. No thought remained of their great need. Upon lifting the first sheet, a bank draft fell from the missionary’s hand. His heart leaped in praise and gratitude as he read:
“Gordon, I am sending this sum because God impressed me to do it. It is a part of the price of a piece of land I sold some time ago. I know you will use it to the glory of God.”
The draft was enough to supply all their needs for the month.
With tear-dimmed eyes, and hearts full of thanksgiving, the two stood arm in arm in the doorway of the cottage, and looked down the winding pathway. Slowly and reverently the missionary repeated the words, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isa. 65:2424And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)).