In John chapter 17, we read of
Jesus’ final meal with His disciples before His arrest. Earnestly He prayed to His Father for
preparation and protection of His beloved disciples, knowing that He was
leaving them, but the love of God, the Father, would always be constant.
Such love is illustrated in the story of some early American Indians, who had a unique practice of training young men. On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test. He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe. But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods with only his hunting knife for protection and he was terrified! Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce.
After what seemed like an
eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the
forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the
path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing
just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had
been there all night long.
Unlike that young boy, we
have the benefit of knowing in advance that our Father God is there to protect
us; although just like the young boy, we don’t always see our Father guarding
us.