During a war between Germany and France, the French Army captured a German town. As a reward for fighting, the victorious French troops were permitted to plunder the homes and take anything they chose.
One French soldier named Egelrich entered the home of a poor widow. When he went in, he found the lady surrounded by her four little children. The oldest, named Hans, ran up to the rough soldier, and offering him a Bible with pictures said, “There, that is my most precious treasure. I will give it to you, but do not hurt my mother.”
Egelrich was surprised, and opening the book his eye fell on a page he remembered reading years before. It was a message from God, and affected him so much he could not move. With his eyes full of tears he said to the widow, “I shall take nothing from you, but do let me have the Bible.”
“May God’s blessing go with you, noble man,” said the poor widow. Then he stood outside to turn away any other of his companions who might enter.
The next day German troops arrived and drove out the French from the town. Egelrich was shot twice in the breast and left for dead. However, he regained consciousness after a while and found that both bullets had lodged in little Hans’ Bible.
Seven years later, when Egelrich was chief of a battalion, he sent a letter to Hans with a sum of money enclosed. This is what he said: “This is a small reward to the noble boy who gave his most precious treasure as a ransom for his mother, and brought about the salvation of his grateful friend, Egelrich, Chief of Battalion.”
How wonderful are the ways of God, and how wonderfully He cares for those who trust Him. Even the hairs of their head are all numbered. Surely we can say, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.” (Psa. 27:1,31<<A Psalm of David.>> The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. (Psalm 27:3).)
Faith is a very simple thing,
Though little understood:
It frees the soul from death’s dread sting
By resting in the blood.
It sees upon the throne of God,
A Victim that was slain;
It rests its all on His shed blood,
And says, “I’m born again.”
ML-03/26/1978