Fearlessly forward – Day 19

[Over the past few years, several readers testified about God’s protection in their lives. Here is an excerpt from one of the emails.]

Rudolf: “On April 30 this year, around 17:00 in the afternoon, my wife and I were attacked by five armed robbers on our farm outside Weenen in KwaZulu-Natal. They shot our dog, tied us up and took us inside the house, where they made us stand against a wall, cursing at us and threatening to kill us.

“The robbers took my firearms and removed our shop’s money from the safe. They then took my wife, with a knife to her throat, to another room while pointing a gun to my head. All I could do was pray. I prayed that God would forgive us, protect us and calm the situation. I also asked Him to take control of the whole situation. I think we sometimes underestimate the power of praying the Lord’s Prayer. When we ask for His kingdom to enter into a situation, we can be sure that He is there.

“After a few minutes, the robbers brought my wife back into the room where I was. I turned to her with the words: ‘Whatever happens, we will be together again in heaven and able to hug each other.’ From that moment, the atmosphere started to change. It was as if the robbers calmed down and started to treat us with respect. When they did not find any more money in our home, they loaded us into the back of our own car with the stolen items on top of us. They then drove for about 45 minutes before stopping in the field. I thought they were going to kill us. Instead the robbers wiped the car clean with rags, untied the ropes around our hands, returned my wallet with bank cards, driving license and even my money in it and helped my wife to get into the front of the car. They then looked at me with the words: ‘Mister Niemand, please go.’ We were free. They even gave us directions to get back home!

“We went home without any bodily harm and our dog that was shot has survived. After this event there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that God is almighty and good, and ready to protect us when we call upon His name. There is truly no greater love than the love God has for us. All glory to Him!”

Rudolf is right. None of us are immune to challenges like these crossing our paths. We live in a broken world and the enemy looks for ways to hurt us. Yet we read in Psalm 121:1-5,7-8: “I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade … The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” And in Psalm 91:11: “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”

God neither slumbers nor sleeps. And His arm is certainly not too short to help us and His ear not too deaf to hear our prayers. I will not be surprised if the whole room filled up with angels the moment Rudolf started to pray. Remember, when we call upon God’s name in our moments of desperation or fear, He is there — ready to protect and help us. God bless.