|
Themes Answered Prayer A DESPERATE PRAYER It was early morning when Lee parked his truck on the side of the road. He planned to hike 20 miles into the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico and meet up with a group of hikers by mid-evening. Even for an experienced hiker like himself, he knew he had to hurry. The sun would be very hot. But, no problem. He could do it. It was noon when he first noticed the heat in his new boots. As he pushed deeper into the Gila, the scorching in his feet grew worse. Nothing he tried brought relief. Finally he made camp after dark. Relieving the agony, he peeled off the boots and inspected his feet: a dozen blisters and hot spots. But this was a problem he could deal with; no one had to know. He then introduced himself to the other hikers. One "new recruit" worried him. He desperately wanted out. Another hiker calmed him, and they all turned in for the night. In the morning the recruit was gone! He had left before sunrise down the trail Lee had just come on. Lee knew a beginning hiker could die in the wilderness. Pulling on those wretched boots, he headed after him. Hours later, Lee noticed himself limping and stumbling. It seemed he was walking on hot coals. Looking down, he gasped when he saw the eyelets of his boots were oozing red! At this point the trail gave way to the Gila River.
"Finally, relief", he whispered! Not thinking, Lee sloshed in. The icy mountain water was like a thousand needles in every tormented blister! His scream echoed through the canyon. Staggering out of the river, Lee realized he was helpless. It would be days before someone would find him. He began to dream: if only he had a horse. He never prayed much, but he was desperate. "Give me a horse", he implored. "Have mercy, Lord!" The sun was casting long shadows as he attempted a few more paces. Suddenly, just past his shadow, he saw a bulge that bobbed up and down. Whirling around, he stared dumbfounded! Looking back at him was a horse, complete with halter! Dragging himself over, he grabbed hold of the rope. Struggling onto its back, he mumbled in half disbelief, "A horse, a horse! " Darkness fell. The horse walked through the night, coming to a stop at the trail's end. There sat the rookie hiker on the bumper of Lee's truck! Both exhausted men slept through the night, only to be awakened in the morning by two ranchers looking for a wandering horse named "King." "Never did wander off before", they said, "can't figure why he did this time...". Lee knew why. Lee was proud of his hiking experience. Like the mother in the Bible story, he had to humble himself and admit he was helpless and in danger. He turned to the only one who could help. The Bible says God moves in mercy toward those who will admit their helpless and sinful condition. The Lord Jesus said, "I came not to call the righteous, but SINNERS to repentance." Will you also come humbly, as a sinner needing salvation from the punishment for your sins? The Lord Jesus promised, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).
Other pages in this section
No one has commented on this article. |
The Moral Glories of Our Lord - A devotion regarding the Moral Glory in the character of the Lord Jesus. All of his life went up to God as a sacrifice of sweet savour. Every expression of Himself in every measure, however small, and in whatever relationship it was rendered, was incense to his father. Whatever Adam lacked, the Lord fulfilled completely in his perfect life. J G Bellett was a brother from the United Kingdeom who wrote his works in the 1800's.