98 Sermon Illustrations on Divine Protection

Sir Harry Lee, in Ditchlong, in Oxfordshire, ancestor of the late earl of Litchfield, had a mastiff which guarded the house and yard, but had never met with the least particular attention from his master, and was retained for his utility only, and not from any particular regard. One night as his master was retiring to his chamber, attended by his faithful valet, an Italian, the mastiff silently followed him up stairs, which he had never been known to do before, and to his master's astonishment, presented himself in his bed- | room. Being deemed an intruder, he was instantly ordered to be turned out; which being complied with, the poor animal began scratching violently at the door, and howling loudly for admission. The servant was sent to drive him away. Discouragement could not check his labor of love, or rather providential impulse; he returned again, and was more importunate than before to be let in. Sir Harry, weary of opposition, bade the servant open the door, that they might see what he would do. This done, the mastiff, with a wag of his tail, and a look of affection at his lord, deliberately walked up, and crawling under the bed, laid himself down as if desirous of taking up his night's lodging there. To save farther trouble, but not from any partiality for his company, the indulgence was allowed. About the hour of midnight the chamber door opened, and a person was heard stepping across the room. Sir Harry started from his sleep; the dog sprung from his covert, and, seizing the unwelcome disturber, fixed him to the spot! All was dark, and Sir Harry rung his bell in great trepidation, in order to procure a light. The person who was pinned to the floor by the courageous mastiff roared for assistance. It was found to be the valet, who little expected such a reception. He endeavored to apologize for his intrusion, and to make the reasons which induced him to take the step appear plausible; but the importunity of the dog, the time, the place, and the manner of the valet, all raised suspicion in Sir Harry's mind, and he determined to refer the investigation of the business to a magistrate. The perfidious Italian, alternately terrified by the dread of punishment, and soothed with the hope of pardon, at length confessed that it was his intention to murder his master, and then rob the house. This diabolical design was frustrated only by the dog, who had perhaps providentially overheard some expressions in soliloquy or conversation, from the valet, respecting his contemplated crime. | | --- | |

Mr. Williams, an eminently pious man, who lived at Kidderminster in the last century, records in his diary a remarkable interposition of the providence of God, in preserving his family and property from devouring flames. One of his servants dreamed that a neighbor's house was on fire, and through the agitation which the dream occasioned, she made a little noise, which awoke Mrs. W. who was sleeping in a room below. On awaking, she found her room filled with smoke; and when Mr. Williams arose and examined the house, he found part of one of the lower rooms on fire; which, but for the singular manner in which they had been disturbed, would have speedily placed the whole family in danger; and, as the house was not that year insured, have deprived the good man of nearly all he possessed.

# BY THE CONTROL OF MIND.

# 311. In Overruling Involuntary Affections and Dreams.

Soon after the Moravian brethren had commenced their zealous and disinterested labors in Greenland, a number of murderers, excited by the angekoks, or sorcerers, threatened to kill the Missionaries, and entered their house for that purpose, at a time when all were absent, excepting one, named Matthew Stach. When they arrived, they found him engaged in the work of translation, in which he went on, without showing any marks of fear, though uncertain as to their intention. After they had sat awhile, their leader said, "We are come to hear good." "I am glad of it," replied the Missionary, and silence being obtained, he sang, prayed, and then proceeded: "I will not say much to you of the Creator of all things—you know there is a Creator;"—to this they all assented except one. "You also know that you are a wicked people." "Yes!" was the unanimous reply. "Now, then," resumed the Missionary, "I will tell you what is most necessary to know." He then proceeded to declare the incarnation and death of Jesus; spoke of his resurrection from the dead; and assured them, that he would be the final Judge of all men. He then solemnly appealed to the leader of the banditti, as to the account he would render of his murders and other crimes at the last day, and entreated him immediately to accept the mercy offered him by the Lord Jesus. After he had done, a woman, whose brother they had murdered, spoke of the efficacy of the Savior's atonement, told them she felt it, and exhorted them no longer to resist the truth. They heard all this with attention, walked for some time before the house with their hands folded, and towards evening retired, without offering either violence or insult.

The name of this eminent man is well known in Scotland, where he acted a distinguished part in the reformation of religion, which rendered him a constant object of the hatred of the popish party. Cardinal Benson frequently formed plans to take away his life. At one time, he procured a letter to be sent to him as from an intimate friend, the laird of Kinnier, in which he was requested to come to him without delay, as he had been seized with sudden illness. In the meantime, the cardinal had provided sixty men to waylay him, and deprive him of life. The letter having been delivered by a boy who also brought a horse to convey him on his journey, Wishart set out, but suddenly stopping by the way, avowed to the friends who had accompanied him, his strong conviction that God did not will that he should proceed; for that there was treachery in this business. They went forward without him, and discovered the whole plot, by which means his life was preserved.

A poor woman residing in a village in Bedfordshire, had occasion to go to another village, about three miles distant; and as she could not return before evening, it was agreed that her husband, who was a laboring man, should meet her as she returned home.

The night being extremely dark, she unfortunately missed her way, and her endeavors to find the path only led her so much the farther from it. Bewildered and alarmed, she wandered she knew not whither. In this distressing situation she walked about for some time, until completely fatigued and exhausted.

At this moment it was strongly impressed upon her mind to sit down, and wait the return of morning, which she accordingly did; and on extending her feet in order to obtain as much relief as possible for her weary limbs, they splashed in one water. Ignorant of her real situation, and without one ray of light to direct her, her feelings may be more easily conceived than described; with the utmost anxiety she awaited the dawn of day, which discovered her perilous situation, on the bank of a deep river, the Ouse, into which another step would inevitably have plunged her.

Being a pious woman, she first acknowledged, with unfeigned gratitude, the hand of her gracious Preserver, and then made the best of her way home.

# 245. In Overruling Voluntary Acts and Affections.

About the year 1808, a young lady, walking out late on a winter's evening, on the Kentish coast, was alarmed by overhearing a conversation of some Irish laborers, which proved she was in danger of being robbed, if not murdered. She resolved to return to the village she had just left, which she accomplished, though pursued by one of the men, from whom she was mercifully delivered.

Agitated and distressed, she determined to stay at the village for the night, and went to the house of a baronet in pursuit of a pious woman, who, in the absence of the family, always slept in it. She was surprised that, for a long time, her rap at the door was not answered; and still more to find, when entrance was permitted, all the doors she had to pass with her friend fastened; nor was her astonishment lessened, when she learned that the good woman was entirely without food, or firing. However, she stayed for the night, and, in the morning, went home.

Ten years rolled along, during which time the old woman treated her young friend with much kindness; the former had buried several of her family, and was about to leave the neighborhood. Previous to this, she called on her friend, reminded her of the circumstances, which, indeed, she had never forgotten; and then, under a promise of secrecy during her life, divulged the following facts:—

For some time before the events first alluded to occurred, the poor old lady, though a pious woman, had been the subject of many temptations. Melancholy and doubting, Satan at last prevailed on her to attempt to take away her life. And so nearly was this purpose accomplished, that, at the time this young lady sought admission to the house, she had locked up all its doors, and was passing down the yard to throw herself into the sea! She recognised the hand of God in this interposition to save her life, lived to his praise for twelve or fourteen years after this event, and at length died in the full hope of immortality, through the mediation of the Lord Jesus.

BAG IN THE WRONG BOAT.—The Rev. T Charles, who was well known as a holy and useful minister in Wales, had once a remarkable escape from death. In one of his journeys to Liverpool, his saddle-bag was, by mistake, put into a boat different from that in which he intended to go, which made it necessary to change his boat, even after he had taken his seat. By this change, so contrary to his intentions, he was graciously preserved; for the boat in which he meant to sail was lost, and all its passengers were drowned.

There is a remarkable circumstance connected with the history of Ralph Erskine—a fact well authenticated in the part of Scotland where his family lived. His mother "died and was buried," some years before he was born. She wore on her finger at the time of her death a rich gold ring, which, from some domestic cause or other, was much valued by the family. After the body was laid in the coffin, an attempt was made to remove the ring, but the hand and the finger were so much swollen that it was found impossible. It was proposed to cut off the finger, but the husband's feelings revolted at the idea. She was therefore buried with the ring on her finger. The sexton, who was aware of the fact, formed a resolution to possess himself of the ring. Accordingly on the same night he opened the grave and coffin.—Having no scruples about cutting off the finger of a dead woman, he provided himself with a sharp knife for the purpose. He lifted the stiff arm, and made an incision by the joint of the finger. The blood flowed—and the woman arose and sat up in her coffin! The grave digger fled with affright, while the lady made her way from her narrow tenement and walked back to the door of her dwelling, where she stood without and knocked for admittance. Her husband, who was a minister, sat conversing with a friend. When the knock was repeated he observed, "were it not that my wife is in her grave, I should say that was her knock." He arose hastily and opened the door. There stood his dear companion, wrapped in her grave clothes, and her uplifted finger dropping blood. "My Margaret!" he exclaimed. "The same," said she—"Your dear wife, in her own proper person; do not be alarmed." The lady in question, lived seven or eight years after this occurrence, and became the mother of several children, among whom was the person above spoken of.

Generally followed by seeking protection from enemies of God (v. 16). No enemy can ever strengthen the people of God (v. 20). There is such a thing as a fatal help (v. 23)

Miraculous preservation of babe Moses. Note how (v. 10) the devil was foiled by his own weapon, by Pharaoh having to house the one who would deliver Israel. Nothing with God is accidental

There is a beautiful legend about a conference held by the doves to decide where they should make their abode. One suggested that they should go to the woods; but the objection was made that there they would be in danger from hawks; another mentioned the cities, but boys would stone them there, and drive them away or kill them. Presently some dove suggested that they go and hide in the clefts of the rocks, and there they were safe. “O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole’s mouth.”

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee.

The way that God keeps His people in security is not by shutting out their enemies from attacking them, but by sustaining them while engaged in the conflict. It is not much to preserve one's self be-hind a wall which cannot be sealed, but to stand where arrows are flying thick as hail, where lances are being pushed with fury, where the sword cuts are falling on every part, and in the midst of all to prove invulnerable, invincible, immortal, this is to wear a divine life which cannot be conquered by human power. Such is the calling of the Christian. God will put us where we must be tried and tempted. If we are not tried, there is no honor to Him who preserves us; and if we are not tempted, there is no gratitude to His grace who delivers us out of temptations. The Lord does not put his plants into a hothouse, as some gardeners do; no, He sets them out in the open air, and if the frost is coming, He says, "Ah! but no frost can kill them, and they will be all the sturdier in the summer for the cold in the winter." He does not shelter them either from the heat of the sun or from the chills of the night. In this world we must have tribulation, and we must have much of it too, for it is through much tribulation we inherit the kingdom. What God does for His people is this: He keeps them in tribulation, preserves them in temptation, and brings them joyfully out of all their trials. So, Christian, you may rejoice in your security; but you must not think that you are not to be attacked; you are like a stream from Lebanon, to be dashed down many a cascade, to be broken over many a rough rock, to be stopped up with many a huge stone, to be impeded by many a fallen tree; but you are to dash forward with the irresistible force of God, sweeping everything away, till you find at last the place of your perfect rest.

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The one man who escaped the terrible eruption of Mt. Pelée was a prisoner who was in the jail at the time of the volcanic disturbance. He never imagined anything had happened until he missed receiving his meals and the visit of his guard. Then, escaping from the prison, he found himself in a city where thousands lay dead. God shelters his children behind many a strange rock. A prisoner--and yet saved! (Text.)

Surmounting the tower of the City Hall, Philadelphia, is a colossal statue of William Penn. During a thunder-storm sometimes the lightning plays about its surface of bronze, like oil on water. Electricians say that it can not be damaged because a two-inch copper cable runs down into a well beneath the foundation-walls, conducting the dangerous current harmlessly away.

Still more immune from evil is the man whom God protects. (Text.)

In 1846 Werner Siemens, of Berlin, discovered the non-conducting properties of gutta-percha. He coated several miles of copper wire with gutta-percha, and submerged it in the Rhine from Deutz to Cologne. Electric communication was thus established beneath the water from shore to shore. In 1850 a submarine cable was laid across the English Channel from Dover to Cape Grisnez. It consisted of a half-inch copper wire covered with nothing but gutta-percha, and loaded with lead to keep it down. The communication was perfect for a day, and then the wire refused to act. The electrical engineers were unable to explain the facts. At last the mystery was dissipated by a fisherman. A French fisherman set his trawl off Cape Grisnez. When he hauled it in, he picked up the submerged cable, from which he cut off a piece. This piece he carried in triumph to Bologne, where he exhibited it as a specimen of rare seaweed with its center filled with gold. The ignorant man had mistaken the copper wire for gold, but unwittingly he had served the electricians. They saw from the accident that it was not sufficient perfectly to insulate the cable, but that it must also be protected. In 1851 there was laid across the Channel a cable twenty-four miles long, consisting of four copper wires, insulated by gutta-percha, covered with tarred yarn, and protected by an outer covering of galvanized iron wires. That submarine cable proved a success, and ocean telegraphy became possible through an accident which compelled invention.--_Youth’s Companion._

“Let your light shine.” Do not go to places where your light will not shine. Sam P. Jones says: “Some years ago my father had two Irishmen digging a well for him. They went off on a drinking spree, after they had gotten the well about three-fourths done. They returned to finish up, but long experience and observation had taught them that what is known as ‘fire-damp’ or poisonous gases, sometimes accumulates in the bottom of a well. They came to the house and asked my mother for a bucket and a candle. They set the candle in the bottom of the bucket and lowered it slowly into the well, and the candle went out. Pat said, ‘Ah, Jamie, there is death in that hole.’ They got some pine brush, tied a rope to them and swished the well out with them. They again lowered the candle and it burned brightly clear to the bottom. And the Irishman said, ‘The candle burns bright; she’s safe now.’”--“Famous Stories of Sam P. Jones.”

The teller of a bank standing behind his window in these days of electricity can touch a push-button close to his hand and close the door of every safe in the place before a thief could have time to operate, and by the same signal he can call the police or give the alarm to all the bank officials.

One of the artizan class of Manchester was the owner of a very pretty black spaniel dog. The little thing followed him and nestled to his side as a child might, and by many endearing ways evinced the winsomeness of its disposition. It happened that the man was worse for drink, became irritated by the affectionate attentions of his dog and vowed he would throw her into the lion’s den in Manchester; went there for the purpose, and reaching out, took up the little fawning thing and flung her through the bars of the cage. The spectators expected that the lion with one muscular movement of its paw would stun and kill it, but the dog fawned up to the lion and the lion turned and licked her. They became good friends, and when presently the lion’s food was brought, the dog even snarled at her new protector and began to partake first, keeping the lord of creation waiting. So it went on for some weeks. The papers were full of it; crowds came to see. The news came to the man; he repented of his rash act; he went to the gardens and said to the keeper, “I want my dog.” The keeper said, “I don’t dare to attempt to bring your dog out of the den.” “Oh,” the man said, “of course I must have it.” “Well,” said the keeper, “if you want it, you must get it yourself.” But when he called to the dog, the dog slunk closer to her new protector, and when presently he tried to exert force, the lion gave such an ominous growl that the man shrank back. From that moment the lion and the dog lived together, and any attempt made to extricate the dog was met instantly by the low growl of the lion.

You have been too long the slave of lusts, of passion, of pride, of sin. I want you to get under the covert of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and then if your old enemy shall endeavor to induce you and get you back, remember that the Lion of the tribe of Judah is going to interpose between you and your old master.

— F. B. MEYER

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The queer Chinese change pigeons into song-birds by fastening whistles to their breasts. The wind of their flight then causes a weird and plaintive music that is seldom silenced in the pigeon-haunted cities of Peking and Canton. The Belgians, great pigeon-fliers, fasten whistles beneath the wings of valuable racing carriers, claiming that the shrill noise is a sure protection against hawks and other birds of prey. As a similar protection, reeds, emitting an odd wailing sound, are fixt to the tail-feathers of the dispatch-bearing pigeons of the German army.

Hannibal’s army withdrew from Rome, it is said, at the sound of a tumultuous laughter inside the walls. Luther said: “The devil hates music.” (Text.)

See NATURE’S PROTECTION.

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In the tropics of Mexico, where torrential rains fall a part of each year, raincoats are a very necessary part of man’s apparel. Owing to the intense heat which prevails in the summer season, the ordinary rubber raincoat can not be worn. A rain-proof coat is made from native grasses. The grasses are woven close together, and it is impossible for the rain to beat through them, no matter how hard the storm may be. It would be the height of folly for a man in that part of Mexico to fail in providing himself with this most necessary part of his raiment. “The fiery darts of the wicked one” may be shed by a certain breast-plate mentioned by Paul.

The old sanctuary of the abbey and palace of Holyrood House was an interesting institution. The debtor was free from arrest during the week. On entering the sanctuary he enrolled himself in a formal manner and obtained a room--that is, if he could pay for it. There was a public house within the boundaries, and it was not uncommon to see the debtor in the inn playing dominoes and his creditors standing looking in at the window with wistful eyes. The debtor was safe, and he knew it, and the face of the creditor told the same tale. Sunday being a _dies non_, the debtor could leave his sanctuary and visit his family, but he had to be careful to get back to Holyrood on Sunday night. Sometimes a debtor had the temerity to leave on a week day, but he did so at his peril.

Once in the ark, God himself having shut in the occupant, the latter could not be safer. A city of refuge, indeed!

There is no frost hath power to blight The tree God shields; The roots are warm beneath soft snows, And when spring comes it surely knows, And every bud to blossom grows. The tree God shields Grows on apace by day and night, Till sweet to taste and fair to sight Its fruit it yields.

There is no storm hath power to blast The tree God knows; No thunderbolt, nor beating rain, Nor lightning flash, nor hurricane-- When they are spent it doth remain. The tree God knows Through every tempest standeth fast, And from its first day to its last Still fairer grows. (Text.)

When Focus on the Family was in its early stages and our children were young, Jim often traveled. One night when he was away, I awoke with a start at 2 A.M. I was afraid and didn't know why. After a few minutes of worrying, I forced myself out of bed and sank to my knees on the floor.

“Oh, Lord,” I prayed, “I don't know why I'm so frightened. I ask You to watch over our home and protect our family. Send Your guardian angel to be with us.” I climbed back into bed and fell asleep about a half hour later.

The next morning one of our teenage neighbors ran over from across the street. “Mrs. Dobson, did you hear what happened? A burglar robbed your next door neighbor's house last night!” It was true. A thief had broken in and escaped with the family's vacation money, about $500. Then my neighbor told me that the police had determined the time of the robbery - about 2 A.M., the same time I had awakened in fear!

My mind reeled at the thought. “If a burglar wanted to break into our house,” I said, “he would probably try to get in through the bathroom window near our children's bedrooms. Lets go look.” We walked to the window and saw that the screen was bent and the window sill splintered. Someone had indeed tried to break in. What had stopped him? . . .

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Source: Night Light: A Devotional for Couples, By Dobson, James C.; Dobson, Shirley. Published by Multnomah Pub (September 1, 2000)

Mr. Alexander Peden, a Scotch Covenanter, with some others, had been, at one time, pursued both by horse and foot, for a considerable way. At last, getting some little height between them and their persecutors, he stood still and said, "Let us pray here, for if the Lord hear not our prayer and save us, we are all dead men." He then prayed, saying, "O Lord, this is the hour and the power of thine enemies, they may not be idle. But hast thou no other work for them than to send them after us? Send them after rem to whom thou wilt give strength to flee, for our strength is gone. Twine them about the hill, O Lord, and cast the lap of thy cloak over purr and Saunders, and thir purr things, and save us this ae time, and we will keep it in remembrance, and tell to the commendation of thy guidness, thy pity and compassion, what thou didst for us at sic a time." And in this he was heard, for a cloud of mist immediately intervened between them and their persecutors; and in the meantime, orders came to go in quest of James Renwick, and a great company with him.