Praying his Way Out

A small boy, by wandering too far into the woods for the cows, lost his way. He tried to describe to me what his feelings were when he saw that he was lost. He expected never to see his friends again. Feelings of terror crept over him. He might remain there and starve to death. He might be torn in pieces by wild animals. There were many dangers to which he was exposed.

I asked him what he did when he saw his situation. He said he knelt down and prayed a long time, and when he arose he did not feel that he was lost, but was quite sure he would find his way out. "And sure enough," said he, "I had gone but a little way after I prayed when I came to the road. I was close by the road and didn't know it."

I have thought many times it may be thus with Christians. They sometimes wander from the narrow pathway, and are lost in this wilderness of woe. On seeing their situation, they give way to feelings of despair. Satan has induced them to wander, and now he would hold them fast.

Backslider, have you wandered far from the Lord ? Have you left the path of righteousness, and fallen into the enemy's snare ? Yield to God. Submit to him. Pray to him. Pray earnestly that you may have help to find your way out. He will hear you, and help you; for he has said so in his word. The narrow pathway may not be far in the distance after there is more need to give; and casting some into all; at least, it may not take long to return to it with angel hands to guide you. It is not the will of our Heavenly Father that any should remain outside of the fold. By earnest prayer we may find our way back, though we have wandered far.

Do you feel as though your transgressions have cut you off, and left you without foothold, or without any stay or prop in the word of God? Remember He is mighty who has said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” He is as strong and as mighty to save to-day as at any previous time. Put all your trust in him. Say, with Bunyan, “Lord, I fain would honor thee by believing that thou wilt and canst save.”

Jane R. Trembley, Battle Creek Michigan, 1870