“Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” Psalms 17:5
Nowadays more than in any other time of life, roads are blocked with dangers that I can’t describe. Eveb from one single deviation from the path of holy principle, Satan gains an advantage and leads us further and further away from justice and truth.
“Not for any soul living, be he young or old, is there security from the temptations of Satan, and those who choose to bind up with unholy men will imbibe their spirit and bear similar fruit. The only safety for any one of us is in walking humbly with God, in going where the Master leads the way. . . .
“We need to pray without ceasing. Let the heart long after God. Let the heart go out in daily, hourly prayer, believing, trusting, holding on to the promise, saying as did Jacob, ‘I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.’ Genesis 32:26.” –In Heavenly Places, p. 258
Today more than ever, we must rely on divine assistance and our life should be a life of constant prayer.
My experience is based on this: At the end of February 2014, at the beginning of the school year at the College of our mission school, we needed clothing for the student’s uniforms. I left early in the morning to the capital city to purchase them. I was carrying my bank card to withdraw the money I needed for the clothing.
I arrived early and went to the bank branch to withdraw the money. A portion of the money was donated for the canvassers and the other part was to purchase the clothing for the student’s uniforms. It all started when I was with the cashier in the bank; I took some minutes to count the money that was dispensed to me, two thousand American dollars. I kept the money in my bag (small hand bag ) and left the bank branch. . . .
I walked about a block from the bank, when suddenly two thieves armed with sharp knives approached me and said, “STOP!! GIVE ME THE BAG QUICKLY, AND DON´T MOVE OR WE WILL KILL YOU!!” One man grabbed me from behind my neck and the other in front of me was wrestling to take the bag with the money from me. I had the impulse and desire not to lose God’s money and I tried not to give the bag up easily. And in that moment one of them lunged towards me, stabbing me twice. I was able to avoid the first stab, but the second one was with the intention to cut my throat or chest. I was able to shield myself with my arm. The stab wound to my bicep on my left arm produced a lot of blood. They left me on the ground and quickly ran away with the bag of money.
Moments after, the police arrived and gave me first-aid and took me to the emergency room of the hospital in San Salvador. They kindly looked after me and cleaned my wound and immunized me to prevent any infection from the knife wound with which I had been injured. I received some stitches and then I was discharged. Going home I was without a shirt, badly injured, and afflicted in my heart for the loss of money for God’s work.
Today I realize that it was the mighty hand of God that gave me protection from something far more serious that could have happened to me. These bad men could have killed me with firearms or knives, but the mighty hand of God held me and saved me from dying instantly. He supported my steps so that they wouldn’t slip on the road of death. Praise be to the Lord God Almighty for His salvation. And I thank all those brothers and friends who have prayed and begged mercies for me. Let us pray for each other. God bless you in your daily walk with Jesus. Amen!
Your Brother in Faith: Oscar Archila Z.
El Salvador, C. A.