The missionary had been traveling for years in Egypt, Syria and Eastern lands. Now he was making a tour in a small boat with a load of Bibles in Arabic. He wished to distribute among the people living in the villages scattered here and there along the banks of the Nile. He knew there was a village on the opposite bank where the people were not Moslems, but professed the Christian faith, and he was sure they would be willing to hear him talk to them about the Lord and to receive his Bibles.
“I will cross over,” he said, “and spend Sunday there.”
But the wind was contrary, and after trying several times to bring the little boat round, the captain said, “It’s no use; we must stay here.”
“This is very disappointing,” said the missionary. But then he remembered that he was the Lord’s servant, and nothing could happen to him by chance or without any reason for it. “What if there should be people here,” he thought.
But no; the shore as far as his eye could reach was as bare and desolate as a desert.
“Surely no one lives here,” he said. “Still I will go a little way inland and look around.”
Taking one of his large Bibles in his hand, he began to scramble over the rocky ground. After walking for about half an hour, he saw a little village far away.
You could imagine what joy it gave him to find in that lonely village one of His Master’s sheep—one who had heard the voice of the Good Shepherd, and was following Him, and wishing to know more of Him.
After they had talked a little while, the missionary discovered that there was one thing which his newfound friend greatly desired. “If only I had a Bible!” he said earnestly.
“Our Lord sent you one; see, this Book is for you,” the missionary said as he showed him the Bible he had brought.
Imagine with what thankfulness the gift was received, and what a glad surprise it was for this lonely child of God to have the Book which he had so longed for thus brought to his very door!
A little more talk, and the missionary took his way back to the boat, his heart light and glad, and full of praise to God for allowing him thus to be His messenger.
But a fresh surprise was awaiting him. “I have been watching for you,” said the Captain. “We can sail now, for the wind has changed.”
As the missionary crossed to the opposite shore in the little boat, he thought, “How good God has been to me! Now I can see why the wind was contrary two hours ago. Once God used His mighty angels to bring words of comfort to His children. Now He is pleased to use men and has graciously used me this day as His messenger.”
“He causeth His wind to blow.”
ML-11/13/1977