Learning to trust the one who stands to protect us in our darkest moments (John 19:1-2) with a American Indian story of training young braves.

SCRIPTURE: John 19:1-2 (TM)

So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him

STORY:

The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves. 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 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. 

OBSERVATION:

Where do we get a sense of protection? How do we achieve the overriding principle that we are not in this thing by ourselves? When do we develop a trust level that God is there on our side? We simply look to Jesus and what he went through.

There is nothing that we face that we have to face by ourselves. Absolutely nothing! There is nothing over which we need to be stressed about. There is nothing that should cause us anxiety. There is nothing which should result in worry or concern.

Jesus faced it all and God was there with him. When we realize that the darkness has passed and another day is dawning it is then that we discover that our Heavenly Father has been standing “just a few feet away … armed” and God will not allow anything to harm us. We are safe in the arms of the Master.

PRAYER:

Thank you for standing guard in our moments of darkness. Thank you for guarding us from harm. Help us to learn to trust you in all things at all times.