In His Hands

*Each weekly blog is an entry from my diary written on the date and time noted below.

Friday, November 14, 2009   7:30 p. m.

Dear Diary,

We all suffer earthly pain, but God provides heavenly comfort. Each person has pain and trials to endure. None are exempt. Whether you are a pastor, missionary, or just an ordinary person, pain and heartache will come. While in the mission field, Hudson Taylor’s little daughter, Gracie, died; and he suffered greatly because of it. But by God’s grace, two months later he wrote, “Amid heavy trials we have had abundant blessings, and so many obvious answers to special prayers, that it is with thankful hearts we go forward.” (The Man Who Believed God, p.145). Wow! Oh, to have such faith. Joy and sorrow come to all; We must take it all from God’s hand. Psalm 31:15 says, “My times are in thy hand…” Satan can not touch one hair on your head unless it is first allowed by the loving hands of God. This comforts me to know that though the world around me passes away, I am still protected by God’s hand.

Invincible

Monday, August 22, 2005  4:15 a.m.

Dear Diary,

Ira Sankey (1840-1908) was the soloist for Dwight L. Moody.  One day he was on a ship and they asked him to sing a song.  He sang, Savior Like a Shepherd lead Us. After he sang, a Southern man came up and asked him if he served in the Civil War on the North side.  He said, yes.  The man told Ira that he served on the South side. He said that one moonlight night in 1862, he was sent over to shot the guard on duty.  He was a sharp shooter and hid in the trees while the guard was on the bridge guarding it.  This man told Ira that in the moonlight the guard was a perfect target, and he never missed.  He said, “As I lifted my gun to shoot him, the guard started to sing.  He sang that same song, Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us. He sang so beautiful I couldn’t shoot him.  I told myself, “I’ll shoot him after he is done singing.” But after the guard finished his singing my shooting arm went numb and just dropped limp by my side.”  He told Ira, “Your God protected you that night in the moonlight, just as the song says, “The Shepherd is your guard and protector.” Then the man said, “Tonight, when you sang that song, I knew it was you.  If it wasn’t for your God, you’d be dead right now.”  Ira proceeded to tell the man how God has been his guard and protector all his life.  That night Ira had the privilege of leading his former enemy to the Lord.  You are invincible until it is God’s perfect time to take you home. (www.obible.org).

Thought for Today: “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and ever for evermore.” (Psalm 121:8).