# 8 Of 10 Things God Can't Do

8. God Can't Abandon You.

Deuteronomy 31:6 -- "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."

image: Karl D Babb "Susan in Sesami"

A fervent word of thanks arose into the silent darkness as Daddy left the tiny shack of an auto station in the deep wilderness of Africa. The Landrover had been giving him trouble, and just when it seemed he would be stranded in the middle of nowhere - the little shelter appeared - complete with a kindly mechanic willing to take on the metal beast and put her to rights.  In his rear-view mirror Daddy could barely make out the tiny light from the station as it disappeared into the distance - the miles between them steadily growing in number. There was no doubt that God had provided in Daddy's time of great need.

Daddy knew he was late to meet his wife and daughters. They anxiously awaited him in Sanyati.  But even as he fought the dirt road, hopelessly lost, another word of thanks was whispered to God. His family was safe.

Earlier in the day his wife and daughters were sneaked out of Sesami in the small, five-seated red and white Cessna airplane. The situation in the little village that had been home for so long had become too dangerous. The political heat in Rhodesia, Africa had reached a boiling point - and after much prayer, it was discerned that God was calling the little missionary family to serve elsewhere.  The plan was then set for his family to be flown out while Daddy and the two clinic nurses transported the medical supplies by a two-truck caravan. However, the vehicles had since become separated, and Daddy was struggling to find his way though the scrub brush to catch up with the group. Every obstacle imaginable seemed to be flung at him as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. Between the car trouble and running out of gasoline, Daddy began to wonder if he would ever make it safely out.

Concentrating on the path in front of him, Daddy was confronted with yet another delay as a lone man suddenly appeared in the dim headlights of his vehicle. A bit nervous, Daddy rolled the window down to talk to the man as the stranger approached the driver's side of the car.

"Did you come from there?" The man asked and pointed to the path behind Daddy. It was a confusing question because it was obvious that the man already knew the answer. Which begged another question - why was he asking it?

Again, the man pointed and asked Daddy, "did you come from there?"

Daddy nodded his head and answered the man "yes."

The stranger just shook his head and clicked his tongue. "many sweet potatoes" he said and again looked beyond the truck at the field from whence Daddy had come. Then he repeated, "many, many sweet potatoes."

The stranger did not detain Daddy any longer. For "sweet potatoes" are land mines and since Daddy had just come through an entire field of them without being harmed, he must be a powerful magic man and it could not have been in the stranger's best interest to mess with such a man.

I can picture beads of sweat popping out on Dad's forehead as he came to the realization that he missed every single mine in that field. There could be no doubt that God went with Daddy, the medical team, and the three of us girls as He lead us safely out of Africa.

I know it's been said of past events often but it could never be more true that we are living in uncertain times. It's true, we might not be chased out of the country by so-called Freedom Fighters, but the way I see it, economic and political futures have never been more tenuous. The wonderful thing is - we don't have to be afraid. Of anything. We don't have to worry about what tomorrow might bring because we know for certain that God can never abandon us. The Bible tells us that.

So -- if God goes with us -- of what do we have to be afraid?

Not a single thing.