STOLEN MEDICATION

November 19 

 Make sure that your way of life is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”6 so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:5-6

Just weeks after my first heart attack and my first implanted stent, we made the most difficult road trip we have ever experienced, driving from Cameroon to Chad.  Stopped at a barrier in the Central African Republic, the officials demanded that we all get out of the vehicle.  We failed to lock one of the truck doors.  While being harassed we heard a truck door slam.  Someone had taken several small items from the truck, including a toiletry bag which contained all of my heart medication.   

 After fruitless discussion with the officials who denied any knowledge about the incident, we decided to talk to Someone Who knew who had taken the stuff and where it was.  We gathered beside the truck to pray.  As we finished, we heard a cry from an official.  “Mister, your medication is here!”  Everything was returned except a cheap camera which belonged to one of the Chadians travelling with us.   

We continued our trip and discussed what had just happened.  The man whose camera was gone told us that he had told the officials, “If the medicine is not found and the pastor dies, God will curse this whole village!”   

So did God use the threat of a curse to move the ones in the know to retrieve the stolen items?  Is God truly able to answer prayer?  Jesus told His apostles, “Whatever you ask in My name, this will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”  (John 14:13)  We gave God glory and thanks that day in the truck.  There are times when we wonder why things happen.  Those times are part of earthly life.   

“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials.”  (James 1:2)  We can count it joy because God has a plan.  He works it out for our good and His glory.  Jesus promised, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”  (Hebrews 13:5) 

Les Vnasdale