God's Answers to prayer
I know many people who trust the Lord for their eternal safety,but they have no faith for the cares of every day.They would find easy to die ,for they know God has promised them a mansion in heaven .In fact,some of them would like to die ,just to escape this world.They have no faith for today-just for tomorrow.They do not see that their daily problems are the material from which Lord Jesus builds His miracles.
When I was in German concentration camp at Ravensbrunk,one bitter winter morning I woke up with a bad cold.My nose was running.Back in Holland I would have been able to adjust to a cold,because I would have a tissue or a hankie to blow my nose.But in the concentration camp,and with out a hankie,I felt I could not stand it.
"Well,why don't you pray for a hankie?"Betsie asked.
I started to laugh.There we were with the world falling apart around us.We were locked in a camp where thousands of people were being executed each week,being beaten to death,or put through unbearable suffering -and Betsie suggests I pray for a hankie!If I were to pray for any thing ,it would be for something big,not something little, likethat.
But before I could object ,Betsie began to pray,"Father,in the name of Jesus I now pray for a hankie for Corrie,because she has a bad cold."
I shook my head and walked way.Very shortly after,I was standing by the window when I heard someone call my name.I looked out and spotted out a friend of mine,another prisoner ,who worked in the hospital.
"Here you are,"she said in matter-of-fact tone."Take it.I bring you a little present."
I opened the little parcel,and inside was the handkerchief!I could hardly believe my eyes ."How did you know?Did Betsie tell you ?Did you know I have cold ?"
She shrugged ."I know nothing .I was busy sewing handkerchiefs out of an old piece of sheet,and there was a voice in my heart saying,"Take a hankie to Corrie ten Boom."So,there is your gift.From God. That pocket handkerchief was made from an old piece of sheet,was a message from heaven to me.It told me that there is a Hevenly Father who hears,even if one of His children on this little planet prays for a tiny little thing like a hankie .Not only does He hear,but He speaks to other of His children and says,"Bring a hankie to Corrie ten Boom." Why should I worry ,When I can pray?We are God's children -His own children.
-Corrie ten Boom. |