Elaine had been home alone that afternoon caring for Freddie, their faithful watchdog, who was old and so sick he could hardly get around. Two gunmen had forced their way in through the kitchen door. Faithful Freddie, though so old and sick, had attacked the men, protecting his mistress. One shot rang out, and the brave dog lay dead at Elaine’s feet.
Because of Freddie’s bravery in giving his life to save his mistress, Elaine was able to escape onto the high, balcony-type porch which ran along the whole length of the house. The gunmen followed her as she ran calling for help. She was doing her best to escape from these wicked men and was running to the end of the porch where it was not so high off the ground. If she could only jump over the railing at that point, she felt she would be safe.
However, Elaine’s thoughts were not God’s thoughts, and God knew what was best for her. As she looked back to see where the men were, she suddenly tripped and landed flat on the porch floor. Just as she fell, she saw Lester and one of the workers coming out of the grove in the jeep.
Lester had seen the men and realized that something was wrong. He was driving as fast as he could.
One of the gunmen shouted at Elaine not to get up. Her chest ached terribly from the fall, and she didn’t know if she could get up even if she tried.
Elaine could do nothing to help herself, but she was thankful God was sending Lester to help her. Have you ever realized that you cannot do anything to save yourself and that you must acknowledge to God that you are a helpless sinner in need of a Saviour? “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6).
When the gunmen saw that Lester was on the way, one jumped over the railing and ran down the hill. The other one turned back into the house to see if he could find any money or valuables.
As Lester drove into the yard, Elaine managed to get up and over the railing, trying desperately to stop him from going into the house where she knew the gunman was. She was too late... he did not see her.
Lester drove at top speed right up to the back gate. As he ran from the jeep up the walkway, the first thing he saw was the body of the faithful dog. He realized that Freddie was dead, but he did not know that it was a bullet that had killed him. In his hurry to reach Elaine, he ignored this warning and rushed on, not knowing the danger ahead. He loved his wife and was determined to save her.
The Lord Jesus knew what terrible sufferings and death lay ahead of Him as He went to the cross, but He “set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:5151And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, (Luke 9:51)), because of the love that He had for sinners. Have you ever thanked Him for His love’ Have you accepted Him as your Saviour?
Lester ran through the kitchen and down the hallway leading to the porch, but came to a sudden halt as the gunman stepped out of a doorway into the hall. There they faced each other — the gunman with the gun in one hand and a portable typewriter in the other, and Lester with no weapon, not even a stick. They stood looking at each other for several seconds. In those few seconds Lester silently asked God to take over.
Without a word, the gunman suddenly dropped the typewriter, turned on his heel and ran to the porch. There he saw that workmen and neighbors had started to gather. He fired a warning shot into the porch wall as he climbed over the railing.
The devil is worse than any gunman. The Bible says “the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8). You, like Lester, cannot defend yourself against such a strong enemy, but God is able to make the enemy run away, if you’ll just allow Him to save you One of the workmen began to chase the gunman as he ran down the hill towards the road, but Lester called him back. He realized how good God was in preserving them all from serious harm. The body of Freddie, the brave dog, still lay in the doorway... a solemn reminder of what could have happened to Lester, Elaine and the workman.
Lester called together the neighbors and workmen who had gathered in the yard. He asked them to bow their heads as he gave thanks to God for His goodness and protection. He reminded them that only God could bring about such a deliverance, and that if they were not born again they were in danger of losing not only their lives but also their never-dying souls. “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:2828And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28).
Lester and Elaine were quite late for prayer meeting that Monday night. When Lester explained why they were so late, the Christians praised God for His preserving care over His own. One after another, the Christian men rose to give God thanks for His Son, for His love and for His protection. It was a wonderful prayer meeting.
Wouldn’t you like to be a Christian? You would then be able to say, like Lester and Elaine, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.” Psalms 23:44Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4).
ML-08/23/1987