From a western prairie home a young father had gone on business to a distant town. He was detained overnight and as he laid down to sleep he prayed for God’s protection for his young wife and baby alone at home.
At that very moment his wife was tucking the baby into its little crib. As she did so, suddenly she noticed a man’s foot showing from below a heavy drape. She turned pale and terror filled her heart, but on glancing around the room her eyes lighted on a text on the wall. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” Psa. 103:1313Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. (Psalm 103:13). This assurance calmed her — God saw and God cared.
She knelt down by the crib and prayed in a low voice that sinners might be led to Christ, and that those who were meditating crime might repent and be saved. Then she prayed for God’s care over herself and her babe claiming His power and promise to save. She then calmly sat down, a look of peace settling on her face.
With a sudden movement the robber stood before her. In a low husky voice he told her he had heard her prayer for protection and that her prayer was already answered for he would not harm her. “My mother prayed for me too, but now she is dead and I am a wanderer for whom no one cares. O! lady pray for me as long as you live. Pray for ‘Nobody’s son,’” and he hurried out.
Years later as she was listening to a preacher tell the story of his conversion to a large company, he told of the prayer that first awakened him, and she realized her prayers had been answered, for the robber for whom she had prayed so long, was now telling others of the great salvation offered to all who will take Jesus as their own Saviour.
It was a joy to them to meet, and thanking her for her prayers, he told her how he was no longer “Nobody’s son” but a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
What honor to God and blessing to the robber flowed from this dear woman’s faith! By FAITH in Christ we become God’s children and then we trust our loving Father to care for us all along our pathway down here. And He never, never disappoints faith. Have you proved this?
ML 12/17/1967