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God Protects His People
I must be getting close to the right place, missionary Rocky Grams thought as he drove slowly down the street. He had promised to preach at a little church that night, and he didn’t want to be late.
As Rocky drove past a group of young men in the street, he heard one of them say, “Tear his door open.” But Rocky was too busy looking for the church tmuch attention to them.
After driving three more blocks, Rocky stopped at a little store to ask for directions. Suddenly he felt a cold metal gun on his neck. “Just keep still and give me your money,” a voice said. Rocky felt amazingly calm as he gave his money to the robber.
The robbers left, and soon Rocky was safe at the church, ready to preach. He mentioned the incident briefly in his message and asked the people to pray for the young men who robbed him. He then learned that a gang fitting the same description had come just outside the church and robbed one of the men who attended the service. The congregation knew God was watching over them because Rocky and the other victim could have been killed.
Rocky and his wife Sherry have lived in South America for many years. Until this incident, they had enjoyed years of safety from theft or threats of harm. But recently there had been several incidents of robbery in the area where they lived. Each time, God protected His people from harm.
Some of Rocky’s friends shared other instances where God protected them in similar circumstances. A Bible school student named Pablo was walking ten blocks from the Bible school to the church. Suddenly he sensed the Holy Spirit say, “Start praising God.” Pablo began praising God in the Spirit. At the same time, three young men surrounded him, wanting to steal his leather jacket. But when they heard him praisingGod, they changed their minds.
Pablo told the men that he used to live just like
them, but God changed his life. The men asked Pablo to forgive them, and they made plans to meet again later to talk some more. Their plans for evil created an open door to hear the gospel.
Another Bible school student, Diego, was held up by robbers. To calm himself, he kept repeating the name of Jesus. Suddenly the robber began to shake. As Diego kept saying “Jesus,” the robber became frightened and ran away.
Missionary Rocky Grams and his friends do not live in fear of what the future holds. They know God is able to keep them safe and to create good from a bad situation. They wouldn’t trade their lin South America for anything on earth.
Information for this story was provided by Rocky and Sherry Grams, missionaries to Argentina. Used by permission from Assemblies of God World Missions.
©2005 The General Council of the Assemblies of God. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce and adapt lesson components for exclusive use in the local church. Any other use requires written permission. |
