The sun was high in the sky as the three children ran and played on the grass. The old farmhouse in the background stood quietly under the blue, hazy, summer sky. Mommy was sick, and she had been crying a little. Little Max tried not to think about it, as he romped around the farmyard. Sometimes life is just so unpleasant and full of problems.
Do you think that God knows or even cares about you? Do you think He knows when your life is unpleasant and full of problems? Maybe this story will help you answer those questions. Read on.
Suddenly the older sister burst through the front door. She flew off the porch, waving her arms and calling out, “Mommy’s dying! Quick, everyone come here!” Four frantic little faces gathered on the grass and looked helplessly at each other. “She’s turning purple, and she stopped breathing!” A little voice said, “Let’s pray!”
“Oh, God, Mommy’s gonna die. Please help us!” They all said, “Amen.” Then little Max ran off to the barn.
Around the corner he went and over to the big bale of straw. He bowed his head. “Oh, God, please don’t let Mommy die. Daddy’s always away drinking. We’ll have nobody, if Mommy dies. Whatever will we do?”
Would God hear the prayer of four little children? Did God hear Max pray behind the barn, where nobody could see him? Does God hear you? Read on.
Suddenly Max heard the loud shout: “A car’s coming!” His little legs raced to the road with the others. They waved at the car. The young voices all cried out at the same time. It must have sounded confusing, but the stranger heard one thing: “Mommy’s dying!”
The man raced into the house. The children stood by, wide-eyed, scarcely breathing as he quickly worked with her and finally got her breathing. He was a doctor!
Max could not thank the doctor enough. Why had he come just then? He thought, There is a God, and He does answer prayer!
Only later Max and the others learned that the kind old doctor was returning from Watford and was on the wrong road. Under the pleasant summer sky he had been daydreaming. He had missed his turn and was going to take the next road. It wasn’t a coincidence. God had sent him at just the right time, and the “wrong” road was really the “right” road for him that day. The Bible says, “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses [troubles]” (Psalm 107:1313Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. (Psalm 107:13)). Yes, He truly saw and heard Max behind the barn as he prayed. And yes, He sees you and hears you too. The Bible says, “Casting [laying] all your care upon Him; for He [cares] for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Even later Max learned another prayer. It was only after he had grown up and forgotten all about God. He thought he could live, have fun and just enjoy his sin. But a man at work talked to him about his sin. He told Max he should turn away from his sin and trust in the Lord Jesus and be saved. This is when Max said from his heart, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Of course, he was not the first person to say this short prayer that Jesus spoke about in Luke 18:1313And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13). The man that Jesus talked about was forgiven. Max also found mercy. He was forgiven. He now had real life, eternal life. This is the most important treasure.
Have you ever prayed to God? Have you called on Him to save you from your sin? “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)). “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:1515Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:15)).
ML-04/30/2000