In Mrs. Howard Taylor’s address at the annual meeting of the China Inland Mission, she related the following experience of one of the Chinese converts:
"Soon after Mr. Li’s conversion he heard an impressive sermon upon the words, ‘Covetousness which is idolatry’. He was greatly concerned to think that having given up idolatry, he might be betrayed into the same sin through allowing a covetous spirit to have any place in his heart. To avoid this danger, he determined to keep no money of his own and to possess no property. His little house and farm he handed over to his nephew and devoted himself entirely to making known the Gospel, sustained by the simple hospitality of those to whom he ministered, and to whom his prayers brought help and healing for body as well as soul. His labours were wonderfully blessed by God and resulted in building up a church in the Yohyang district, which he has long shepherded with loving care.
“As time went on he opened a Refuge for the cure of opium smokers, and in this way also was made a blessing to many. This work, of course, could not be carried on without expense and there were times when supplies ran short, which enabled dear old Li to prove in very special ways the faithfulness of God. After some years a breath of what we may perhaps call 'higher criticism’ reached this far-away province, and the old man heard in connection with the story of Elijah’s being fed by ravens that they were not real birds that brought the bread and meat, but some kind of dark-skinned people, probably Arabs, who shared with him their supplies, for it was absurd to suppose that birds would ever act in the way described. It would be miraculous.
But this way of explaining the matter did not at all commend itself to the old man’s simple faith. Miracles were no difficulty to Him. He had seen far too often the wonder-working power of God in answer to prayer. And, besides, in this very connection he had an experience which no amount of arguing could deny. The story has been so carefully verified by Mr. Lutley and others that one has no hesitation in passing it on, strange as it may seem.
"At one time, in his Refuge work, Old Li had come to an end of all his recourses. There were no patients coming for treatment; the Refuge was empty; his supplies were exhausted, and his faith was a greatly tried. Quite nearby, in the large temple of the village, lived a cousin who was priest-in-charge and who would bring a little present of bread or millet from his ample store when he occasionally came to see his relative.
On receiving these gifts, the old man would always say, ‘Tien-Fu-tih entien’ – ‘My Heavenly Father’s grace’ - meaning that it was through the care and kindness of God that these gifts were brought. But the priest did not approve of that way of looking at it, and at last objected: ‘Where does your Heavenly Father's grace come in, I should like to know? The millet is mine. I bring it to you. And if I did not, you would very soon starve for all that He would care. He has nothing at all to do with it’.
"Old Li replied, ‘But it is my Heavenly Father who puts it into your heart to care for me’. ‘Oh, that's all very well’, interrupted the priest, ‘We shall see what will happen if I bring the millet no more.’ For a week or two he kept away, although his better nature prompted him to care for the old man whom he could not but esteem for the works of mercy in which he was constantly engaged, As it happened, this was just the time in which dear old Li was specially short of supplies. At last, there came a day when he had nothing left for another meal, The Refuge was still empty, and he had no cash to buy a morsel of bread. Kneeling alone in his room he poured out his heart in prayer to God. He knew very well that the Father in heaven would not, could not, forget him. After pleading for blessing on his work and upon the people all around him, he reminded the Lord of what the priest had said, asking that for the honour of His Own Great Name, He would send him that day his daily bread.
Immediately the answer came. While the old man was still kneeling in prayer, he heard an unusual clamour: a cawing and flapping of wings in the courtyard outside, and a noise resembling something falling to the ground. He rose and went to the door to see what was happening. A number of vultures or ravens, which are common in that part of China, were flying about in great commotion above him and as he looked up a large piece of fat pork fell at his feet. One of the birds, chased by the others, had dropped it just at that moment on that spot. Thankfully the old man took up the unexpected portion, saying, ‘My Heavenly Father’s kindness’. He then glanced about him to see what had fallen before he came out and discovered a large piece of Indian meal bread, cooked and ready for eating. Another bird had dropped that also, so his dinner was bountifully provided. Evidently the ravens had been on a scavenging expedition and, overtaken by stronger birds, had let go of their booty. But Whose hand had guided them to relinquish their prize right above his little courtyard?
With a wondering heart, overflowing with joy, the dear old man kindled a fire to prepare the welcome meal. While the pot was still boiling the door opened and, to his great delight, his cousin, the priest, walked in. ‘Well, has your Heavenly Father sent you anything to eat?’ he somewhat scoffingly enquired. He said nothing about the bag of millet he had brought, carefully concealed up his sleeve. ‘Look and see’, responded the old man, smiling, as he indicated the simmering pot on the fire. For some time, the priest would not lift the lid, feeling sure there was nothing boiling there but water. At length the savoury smell was unmistakable and, overcome by curiosity, he peeped into the earthen pot. What was his astonishment when the excellent dinner was revealed! ‘Why’, he cried, ‘where did you get this?’ ‘My Heavenly Father sent it’, responded the old man gladly. ‘He put it into your heart, you know, to bring me a little millet from time to time, but when you would do so no longer it was quite easy for Him to find another messenger’. The whole incident, his prayer and the coming of the ravens, was graphically told. The priest was so much impressed by what he saw and heard that from that time he became an earnest enquirer and before long confessed his faith in Christ by baptism.
He gave up his comfortable living in the temple for the blessed reality that now satisfied his soul. He supported himself as a teacher, became a much-respected deacon in the Church, and during the Boxer troubles of 1900 endured terrible tortures; finally laying down his life for Jesus’ sake.”
Friends, we are dealing with the living God today just as really and truly as did Elijah and the saints of old. I have told this incident at some length just to bring home to our hearts a fresh realization of the blessed fact that what He was, He is. Our Heavenly Father is unchanged. He acts on the same principles still.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 ESV
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. II Corinthians 9:8. ESV
Taken from THE WAY OF LIFE POSTAL BIBLE SCHOOL MAGAZINE February 1966