Answer Me Speedily by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1909

“Answer Me Speedily”

By William Ambrose Spicer

A LITTLE incident connected with the first article in this series on special providences, begun last summer, may be helpful to many. After years in a foreign field, one of our workers, who had returned to America, was engaged in efforts to prepare for service in a needy home conference. Though in the circumstances there was no business relationship between the worker and the Mission Board, the Board learned of the temporary ill health of the laborer, and was impressed to appropriate a small sum to help the tried and faithful worker over the temporary embarrassment.

In addition to the thankful acknowledgment of the remittance, the worker wrote of the following experience:—

I am impressed that I ought to add a few words to the letter sent last evening.

Last week, during the days that I was sick, a great longing came over me to go home and see my mother, whom I have not seen for over eight years; but I could not see my way clear to do so. I prayed earnestly that God would send me money for three different things. One thing I asked for was money for my railway fare. Then I asked for money to supply two other urgent needs. In praying I used these words: “O Lord, that article in the REVIEW says thou art a God that is able to do things for thy children. Do something for me, I pray thee, and do it quickly.”

I regard the letter I received last evening [bringing the remittance] as an almost immediate and a very direct answer to my prayer. Never have I received an answer to prayer which seems more wonderful to me than this answer does.

God has done the very things I asked him to do. He did indeed help me “quickly.” He also sent me enough to supply the three most urgent needs that I presented before him. I trust I shall never forget this experience as long as I live, and it helps greatly to strengthen my faith in God’s willingness to help us when we are in trouble. I never doubt his power, but I have often doubted his willingness.

I regret to draw anything out of the treasury, as I know it is practically empty. I did not for one moment think of receiving any money from this source; but as God has seen fit to answer my prayer through the Board, I will accept it, and trust that as God has thus supplied all my need, according to his riches in glory, so he will supply the needs of all the other workers, and will see to it that no one else shall suffer lack because of this money which has been given to me. I am led to say, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

No one else but the Lord knew of that definite prayer and that laying hold of his promise as a God who doeth things on earth for his children. And he sent the answer. There is One in the heavens who knows the struggles and the heartaches, and the needs that we could hardly tell to any ear but his. Not that we may always know what will be the answer; sometimes it may be, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” But he hears and answers in his own way and time. Yet sometimes, as in this case, the heart’s need inspires the cry, “Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.” Ps. 102: 2.

W. A. S.