“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” - Psalms 34:4 I once heard the famous Scottish preacher, John McNeil, relate this personal incident. During his boyhood in Scotland, he worked a long distance from home. The walk home took him through a dense forest and across a wide ravine. The ravine was known to house such nefarious tenants as wild animals and robber gangs. Darkness would often gather before he got to the woods, and he said, “How I dreaded to make the last part of the trip! I never went through those woods without trembling with fear.” “One night it was especially dark, but I was aware that something or someone was moving stealthily toward me. I was sure it was a robber. A voice called out, and its eerie tone struck my heart cold with fear. I thought I was finished. Then came a second call, and this time I could hear the voice saying, `John, is that you?’ It was my father’s voice. He had known my fear of the ravine and the darkness of the forest, and he had come out to meet me. My father took hold of my hand and put his arm around me; I never had a sweeter walk in my life. His coming changed the whole trip.” That is God’s relationship to you and me! He is your Father and my Father. Through the darkness and mist we hear His voice - He has come to meet us. Just at the time we need Him, He will be there. Through the darkest moment of life our Heavenly Father says, “FEAR NOT! Here is My hand! I will walk the rest of the war with you.” - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. Nor will I rebel if the Master Sees fit in His plan divine, To lead me through darkest of valleys, Without e’en a ray of light, Where loneliness wrappeth around me The awesomeness of the night. |
