Intervention

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 ESV

Susanna Wesley was the mother of John and Charles Wesley, some of the world’s greatest evangelists. God used these two godly brothers greatly during the First Great Awakening. But did you know that the Wesley home burned to the ground when John was just a small boy and he almost lost his life in the process? 

The fire broke out late at night, sometime before midnight. The whole family was in bed, asleep. They had no idea they were in trouble until the corn-chamber fell on one of the daughters, little Hetty. The child woke and ran to call her father. 

I’m sure you can imagine that the whole scene was pure chaos at that point. There was no time to grab anything. They lost most of their belongings. But, with the help of Susanna’s husband and their maid, most of the children were spared. 

After arriving outside in the garden. . .

The wind drove the flame with great vengeance. At that point, covered in burns, Susanna realized that little John was missing. He’s still upstairs in his room. 

Can you imagine? The family heard his cries coming from the nursery. At this point Susanna’s husband tried valiantly to rescue him, but could not. So, he commended the child’s soul to God and went back to caring for those who had survived.

Meanwhile, young John climbed up to the window and they managed to pull him out, just in time. History records that Susanna Wesley was particularly careful from that time forth to pay special attention to young John's spiritual training. She felt very strongly that God had spared his life for a reason. 

And indeed, He had. Consider the fact that something served as a barrier between the young child and the overwhelming smoke and flames. God intervened just in time. That's often how it is in our lives. The time of intervention comes, usually just in time. As you have probably heard time and time again, "God is never late!"  His timing in our lives is absolutely perfect!

Challenging Thought: Can you think of a time when God miraculously intervened in a situation on your behalf?

Read more devotions like this one in a new book Janice co-authored with Louise Looney titled An Overcoming Walk of Peaks and Valleys, now available on Amazon!