There was, many years ago, a German weaver who earned a scanty living, plying his daily task for a hard-hearted employer.
One Saturday night as he received his wages, the employer told him that trade was bad, and his services were no longer needed.
“But what of my poor wife and family?” cried the weaver.
“I know nothing of that,” answered his master.
“Well,” said the weaver. “The Lord helps. He will not forsake me.”
With the same words did the poor man comfort his sorrowing wife and children. It was not long before they felt the pinch of hunger, but the man did not give way to anger or despair. He comforted his hungry family, and prayed often with them, and alone, that God would supply their daily needs.
The neighbors, who were poor also, felt sorry for them, but one mocking lad despised them for their prayers. One day as this boy passed by the house and heard the voice of prayer, he threw a dead raven through the open door, shouting, “There, saint, there is something for you to eat.”
The weaver picked it up. “Poor thing,” he said, “it seems to have died of starvation, for it is very thin. See, here is something hard in its crop!”
He opened the bird’s crop, and found there a golden necklace. It appeared to be of great value, so he took it at once to a jeweler.
“Do you know who is the owner of this necklace?” asked the weaver.
“Yes, indeed,” said the jeweler. “It is a great treasure. It belongs to your former employer, and his whole household is in distress because it is missing.”
The weaver at once hastened to his former master and told him how he had found the necklace. The man was very grateful, and immediately promised to restore his trustworthy weaver to his old employment. He was also touched by this proof of the poor man’s simple faith as expressed in the words, “The Lord helps.”
The reader may have heard it said, “The Lord helps those who help theelves,” but this is not what the Bible says. All God’s promises of help are to those who own they cannot help theelves. Our only claim upon His goodness is our utter helplessness, which casts us upon His strength, and His everlasting love. His promise is “The Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.” Psalm 37:4040And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. (Psalm 37:40).
ML 11/14/1954