week 21

Scripture Reading:

EXODUS 17:8–16

On a Foreign Battlefield

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

JOHN 15:13

BEN WIGGINS HAD two sisters, but the first died at birth, and the second died tragically at age two. He grew up as an only child and never forgot his parents’ loss.

“Don’t worry, Mom,” he’d tell her. “You’ll always have me around. I’m not going anywhere.”

Ben’s mother, Sarah, would grin sadly and say, “God has taken two of my babies home. But he knows how much a mother can handle, Ben. You’re the one he left for me and your father.”

But when Ben turned eighteen, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Not long after, the Gulf War began, and Ben was assigned a place on the front line. The idea of losing Ben terrified his parents, but they prayed constantly.

“Please, God, let us know when he needs our prayers,” Sarah would pray each night. “And bring Ben home safely to us. He’s all we have left, Lord.”

The initial drive of the Gulf War figured to be the most dangerous. As Ben waited and took his position, he silently prayed, God, be with me. Let me survive.

When the moment of battle came, Ben pressed across the border of Iraq, shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of Army men. The battle that ensued was intense and fast. One hour led to two, and it looked as though the U.S. troops would be wildly successful.

During a brief lull in the action, Ben was resting for a second when he felt someone grab his arm. He spun around and looked straight into the eyes of an Iraqi soldier, whose gun was aimed directly at Ben’s face.

In angry, short bursts the Iraqi shouted words Ben didn’t understand. He stood there, afraid to move, when the man suddenly hit him on the side of the face with the butt of the rifle and pointed in the opposite direction from his squad. Ben had no choice but to start walking.

God! Help me! Please…

Several times over the next few minutes Ben considered shouting for help. It was clear that his squad hadn’t noticed his disappearance and he was on his own. Stopping on a sandy desert bluff, again the soldier barked something at Ben. Ben blinked, not knowing what to do; then the soldier kicked him and pointed to the ground. Fearing for his life, Ben lowered himself to the dusty ground and was kicked again, forcing him to lie on his stomach. This is it, God. I’m not going to make it without a miracle. A dozen memories flashed through his mind, and one was of his parents praying for him.

His parents! That was it! He knew his mother was praying for him every day. The Iraqi soldier barked something else and dug the tip of the rifle into the back of his skull. Ben drew a shaky breath, afraid it would be his last. Then he closed his eyes and prayed as he’d never done before: God, please let my mother know I’m in danger. She should be praying for me.

Moments earlier, across the world in Austin, Texas, Sarah Wiggins sat up straight in bed and screamed. “Al, wake up!” she cried as her husband snapped awake.

“What is it?” he asked breathlessly.

“It’s Ben. He’s hurt or in trouble. I can feel it.”

Al sighed and relaxed somewhat. “Sarah, he’s in Kuwait. There’s no way to know that.”

Sarah nodded, her heart racing. “Yes, Al. I prayed that God would let me know when he needed help. Why else would I wake up in the middle of the night?”

Al considered that, then spoke tenderly to calm his wife. “If he’s in trouble, what can we do about it?”

“We can pray.”

“Okay.” Al nodded and took his wife’s hands in his.

Sarah bowed her head and closed her eyes as she began to pray out loud. “Lord, you know where Ben is and what he needs. Please help him. Whatever danger he’s in, please help him. In your holy name, amen.”

Back in Kuwait, at that same instant, Ben heard a distinct voice speaking near his ear. “Don’t worry. You are not going to die today. God is with you.”

Ben looked around, but other than the Iraqi solder, he was completely alone on the desert bluff. The realization sent chills down his arms, even though the tip of the soldier’s rifle still dug into his skull. You’re here, God. I hear you. I feel your presence. I beg you for a miracle, God… please.

The moment Ben finished praying, the Iraqi soldier shouted something, then yanked the gun away from Ben’s head and inexplicably ran down the embankment.

Ben could hardly breathe. He was alive! And for the moment, the danger had passed. Thank you, God. Whatever just happened… thank you. With slow, cautious movements, he stood up and started across the desert. Ducking low, he ran with every bit of strength he had until he was safely among U.S. soldiers again.

Two weeks later, Ben was back at base and allowed to call home. As his story tumbled out, Sarah felt chill bumps along her spine.

“When did it happen?” she asked. “The exact time.”

“About two in the morning your time.”

Sarah’s hand flew to her mouth. “I was praying for you, Ben. God woke me up and had me pray for you.”

Across the miles in Kuwait, Ben’s heart soared at his mother’s statement. “I knew it. I prayed for a miracle, Mom. I asked God to let you know I was in trouble. And that’s just what he did.”

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

1 SAMUEL 12:23