Arriving Right on Time
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A Bible Worker Story from India
Mary and a fellow Bible Worker went door to door as they often did, asking people how they could pray for them. Walking down the street, they noticed an older woman clutching her chest in pain. They hurried over to her and asked what was happening. The woman requested them to go inside and get her daughter-in-law, Dishwari, who was working in the kitchen.
Dishwari was surprised to see two strangers in her house. “Who are you?” she asked. Mary and her fellow Bible Worker explained who they were and why they were inside her house.
Dishwari went outside to her mother-in-law and told her she needed to go to the hospital, but her mother-in-law refused. Dishwari did not know what to do, but Mary and her fellow Bible Worker suggested she give her mother-in-law some hot water. They prayed with her and gave her the water. She felt a little better. Then they told Dishwari to boil coriander seed in hot water and give it to her daily. They continued to visit to pray and give the family Bible studies. Dishwari’s mother-in-law has been feeling better, and her family is glad to learn so much about the Bible.
Not long after we heard this story, we heard another where God again leads a group of Bible Workers to the right place at the exact right time.
Athiamma stood frozen as her landlord grabbed her belongings and threw them out the door of her home. She had no idea what to do. She lived in a rented house with her husband and youngest daughter. She hoped her daughter could get married soon. Because her husband lost his job, they didn’t have money to arrange the marriage. Worse, they had not even had the money to pay their rent for the past five months. The landlord had been merciful before, but he had run out of patience.
On the day when Athiamma’s landlord came to evict her and her family, two JFA Bible Workers were visiting Athiamma’s village, praying with people at various houses.
They walked by Athiamma’s house and saw her standing in despair with her clothes and furniture strewn about the front yard. They asked what had happened to this poor woman. After Athiamma explained her troubles, the Bible Workers decided to try and talk to the landlord. The first time, he said no, but after their second attempt, he decided to give Athiamma’s family a little more time.
The Bible Workers helped Athiamma take her things back inside. They prayed with her and spoke soothing words. They told her to pray, have faith in God, thank Him for changing the landlord’s heart, and listen to His words.
The next day, the Bible Workers came again and gave Athiamma and her family a Bible study. That day, they read Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” and Psalm 34:10, “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.”
These words brought comfort to Athiamma and her family. The Bible Workers continued to give the family Bible studies, and eventually, they were baptized. Now they are attending church each Sabbath. The God of heaven helped them to pay their rent and to clear all their debts. Athiamma praises God for His leading and blessings.
Isn’t it amazing how God brought these Bible Workers to people’s homes exactly when they faced their time of greatest need?
Did you know that God can use you in the same way? Every day our Bible Workers pray for God to use them to share Jesus’ love with those they come into contact with. Sometimes they find people in the middle of crisis, like these stories, and other times, they may end up talking to someone they meet at a grocery store or while walking down the street. The key is that they pray, and God brings people to them whose hearts He is already working in.
If we take the time to pray and ask God for divine appointments, we may find Him using us in ways we don’t expect. Try it for yourself!