THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL
Among the U.S. Marines who fought against the Japanese in World War II was a 21-year-old Corporal William Devers, who considered himself an agnostic. No amount of arguing, Bible-quoting or coercion by his fellow Marines or the chaplain could sway him. During the company’s first major encounter with the Japanese, a number of the unit were killed and the chaplain was wounded. In great pain, the chaplain called to Devers, “My … left pocket … take it … please … Last night I had a dream. In the dream an angel appeared and told me that I had to make you take the Bible. Take it, son … please.” Devers shoved the Bible into his shirt pocket to satisfy the wounded man.
Twenty minutes later, Corporal Devers’ squad stumbled right into a Japanese patrol, and before he knew what had happened he was on the ground, his mind fading into the darkness, certain he was dying. When he came to, he felt a ripple of pain shoot through his chest, but there was no blood.
The bullet had torn into the Bible he carried in his pocket, ending its journey at the book of Psalms, which read: “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” (Psalm 91:7) -James Pruitt
This is a good place to stop and read Psalm 91, (all of the Psalms are well worth reading) and, remember it was William Cowper who wrote the hymn, “God Works in Mysterious Ways, His Wonders to Perform” … or, at least, so we think. I felt that lack of words when my six-year-old great-granddaughter Jozy, was picking some oranges to squeeze some fresh orange juice … and, with a sincere/serious look she asked, “How does the juice get in there?” Our world (of God’s creation) is full of … well, read Hebrews chapter 11.
Let me take you back a’ bit. It was the days of WWII … I had enlisted in the U.S. Navy … had completed basic training at USNTC in San Diego and artillery training at the Marine Base in Camp Pendleton, CA. I shall NEVER EVER forget a brief but poignant lecture given by Platoon Commander Taylor as each serviceman was given a pocked-sized Bible with real metal on one side of the cover! (Remember the account James Pruitt told above?) That was the beginning, for me, to ALWAYS carry a 2x3 inch New Testament and Psalms in my shirt pocket or a 3x5 inch New Testament and Psalms in my inside suit coat pocket! For me, it’s better than a Life-Saving Swimming Course by the Red Cross.
When Carole and I were talking about this … I wondered if the U.S. Navy still gave the military men and women one of these Bibles. SO, I called the Navy recruiting station here in Phoenix and asked them! The recruiting officer said, “We most certainly do!” What happened to mine?
SOMETIMES IT’S THE LIFT WE NEED
I don’t carry a Bible under my arm for display… nor in my hand to impress … but quickly accessible and in my heart because I need it … often! SO…
SO! When John F. and I had lunch, to become friends and to talk about some troubling concerns … we met at the Holiday Inn North on Colorado Blvd. He told me of some of the concerns/issues he was facing. After considerable conversation/discussion, John said, “Well, what do you think?” I explained that I had all of the answers but that they were not mine! And I took that little book out of my shirt pocket and explained that what this little book had to say could “protect” us through thick and thin! We had lots of discussion and then I opened it and read to him John 1:1-14 and then Matthew 5:1-16. I could mention many more but as you read you will begin to see the whole pattern beginning to take shape … and you will memorize some things because they had a many-faceted value. Then, after a while, John said, “I wish I had a book like that.” I reached in my pocket and said, “I’ll loan you this one … forever!” (It had a metal shield on it).
We met for several months and had interesting/conversational/studying times together. Then one day he came to church … he had a beautifully wrapped package … which he gave to me with a smile. I opened it … it was a book titled “LEAVES OF GOLD” with a note of thanks. (I have that book near my desk,even to this day, some 60 years later!!)
THE BIBLE IS INDEED A SHIELD (In many ways, forever, for anyone who has it close to his/her heart) and soon you will be saying, “for every drop of rain that falls … a flower grows …” and it will become a way of life. Take a look again at Matthew 28:19 & 20. -LJS
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