"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."
MATTHEW 10:30-31
Dr. Charitable arrived at church early one Sabbath morning. As an elder of the church, he normally arrived before anyone else so that he could make sure everything was ready for the day’s worship service. This sunny Sabbath morning he was enjoying quiet time with God while making some final preparations. He made sure the church was clean and put the song numbers selected for the day on the hymn board. He made sure water was on the pulpit for the speaker. He made sure the chairs were clean and in proper order. He checked the room where the mothers would nurse their babies and made sure everything was clean and in good condition. Everything was set and in perfect order.
His next task was to check the basement where, after worship service, the members gathered to fellowship together and have lunch. He opened the basement refrigerator to see if there was enough water and other beverages for the luncheon. To his shock he felt cold, hard metal pressed against the back of his head and heard a strange voice command him to, “Freeze!” A burglar had found his way into the church. The burglar’s gun was now bearing down on the elder’s skull.
With both hands raised, Dr. Charitable slowly turned around to see the young, seemingly homeless young man who was holding him hostage. Dr. Charitable, who has a quiet spirit and is a man of few words, fell to his knees and started to pray. Some men trust in chariots and some in horses, but he remembered the name of the LORD his God (Psalm 20:7).
He prayed, and prayed, and prayed. When he said “Amen,” he opened his eyes. The gunman was gone. Dr. Charitable found himself alone once more in the presence of the God who promises that He will never leave you, nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
Do you know how precious you are to Jehovah our God? What He did for Dr. Charitable, He can do for you. Stop talking about your troubles to frail human beings who are not able to help themselves, and develop a habit of bringing your troubles to God in prayer. Dr. Charitable did not bargain with the gunman. He did not plead for his life. Instead, he took the issue to God right then and there because he had taken the time to develop the habit to pray no matter what was happening around him.
Call to Action
Decide today to talk to God daily in prayer as you would to a friend. God knows you — make time to know Him.
All scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
