LITTLE Emily was about seven years old, and she loved Jesus; so God taught her what to do in a time of trouble. Her own dear mother was dead, and at this time she had a stepmother, who was rather cross to her. Now one day she sent her to the butchers for some meat, and on the way her shoe lace came down, and she put her foot upon a door step to tie it, and then the poor little creature ran off and forgot the money which she had laid on the step, and when she came back it was gone, and she was in terror lest she should get a whipping.
What was to be done? What should anyone have done who loved Jesus?
She remembered that God had said,
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify Me;” so she wanted to kneel down and call upon God to help her, and as she did not like to kneel down in the street, she looked round and saw somebody’s front door open, and went straight into the strange house, and knelt behind the door, and asked God to help her. Then she left off crying and went on her way home, feeling sure God would make all right for her.
Did He, do you think? Of course He did, because she asked Him. Shall I tell you how God did it?
Well, He put it into the heart of a kind gentleman, who picked up the money, to leave it with a grocer close by, telling him to watch, because he thought some child must have left it, and would soon be coming back for it. So, when she passed again, there was the kind grocer waiting to give it to her.
You can imagine how pleased little Emily was, thus to find God answer her prayer so soon, and how she thanked and praised Him for His kindness to her, and with what a light heart she went to the butchers to buy her meat. Will you not all, dear children, follow her example, and go to God in the name of Jesus when you are in trouble, or in want of something?
But perhaps my little reader does not know the Lord Jesus as a Saviour, and God as a Father in heaven, to whom one can come in prayer, when in sorrow and trouble; and what then? Well, let me tell you it is an awfully solemn thing to be in such a position; and O, may you be led to see yourself a sinner before God, and find Jesus as your Saviour.
ML 03/19/1922