RESCUER OF THE FRISBY.

‘God is there in space, time and history,’ wrote Dr Francis Schaeffer, author, theologian, historian and counsellor. God, Who created and sustains the universe cares about me, and my needs.

Paul of Tarsus, a first century citizen wrote from prison cell, where he was detained for preaching about Jesus Christ, ‘ My God shall supply all your need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.’ ( Philippians 4;19 )

Through this precious promise over many years, my God fulfilled every genuine need.

When visiting our son and daughter in Indonesia, we spent time with an Indonesian friend. After coffee and biscuits, we left to the bus station in a becak, or pedicab. It seats only two people, so my husband travelled in one, while our grand-daughter, Simone, and I hired a second becak. From his high seat, the driver pedalled, weaving in and out of lanes and winding streets.

Night comes quickly in the tropics, and darkness enveloped us as we approached the bus station to await my husband. To our surprise, he had not arrived. It was dark and rather scary, as people surrounded us. Simone said,

‘ Don’t worry, Gran. God will help us to find Papa.’ We said a little prayer, and waited.

It was ten minutes before an Indonesian man walked to us and said, ‘ I think you are waiting for someone who waits around that corner.’ We followed his directions, turned the corner, and there was Papa. In the dark, he too prayed to find us, because his becak driver travelled a different route, so left him in another street. God used our rescuer to answer our prayers.

During my husband’s medical career, he prayed with patients prior to their surgery, for a peaceful mind, safe surgery, followed by a good recovery. Now it was his turn as patient for a hip replacement. Early on the morning of the surgery, I thought of all his prayers for his patients. So I prayed, ‘Dear God, please send someone to pray with my dear husband before his operation.’

God answered. A Chinese doctor, who often assisted my husband in surgery, happened to be at the hospital to visit his patients. He saw my husband’s name on the operating list for that morning.

‘I will pray with Dr Steward, ‘ thought Dr Lim Chin as he strode into my husband’s room to pray with him before entering the operating theatre. God answered my prayer, and when I see Chin and his wife, Hooi, we agree that God is real.

One sunny morning while visiting our family in Sydney, we walked three of our grandchildren to the park. One owned a frisbee , which we enjoyed throwing to each other

‘Granpa, see how high I can throw it,’ said the eldest, as he threw the frisbee so high that it lodged in the fork of a tall gum tree. We threw small stones hoping to dislodge it, but out attempts failed.

‘We will ask our God to help us,’ said a trusting Grandpa, who prayed a simple prayer for the recovery of that frisbee. We waited. Nothing happened, although we aimed more stones.

‘We will pray once more, ‘suggested Grandpa. As he finished praying a strong gust of wind blew across the oval, through the trees, dislodging the frisbee, which dropped on the grass. We always remember the frisbee and prayer.

Yes, God is there, and is a Father, Who knows our needs.

And He delights to help us, and show His power, especially to children.