There is nothing that will plunge a person into despair more quickly than to suppose what could happen. This was another example of the worries of tomorrow that never come, robbing us of the joys of today. Poignant sadness, overwhelming me for the hurt of others, released the tears from my own widowhood. I was alone and I had time to weep, but with the tears came healing.

In my moment of terrible aloneness and sorrow for a world of people so devastated by war, I heard someone with a beautiful, clear voice singing “Precious Name, Oh, How Sweet” outside my cell, but he was singing in Indonesian: “Precious is Your name, a shelter that is secure!” My heart burst with bright hope! The “time to weep” was past; it was a “time to laugh.”

The name of Jesus, Your precious name, is my strong tower of defense against the enemy of despair.

“O Lord,” I cried, “forgive me. It isn’t a game of “suppose.” I live in the sure knowledge that “the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” The name of Jesus, Your precious name, is my strong tower of defense against the enemy of despair. It is my shelter that is secure; I enter in and am safe.”

But who was the singer? How could he know I needed that song at that moment? Of course he couldn’t know, but he loved God, that is sure. I had to see him.

I scrambled up to the transom. My eyes probed the late afternoon light-no one by my door, no one in the courtyard other than the guard and night watchman. They were talking, and I knew they were totally unaware of the singing! Listening to this hymn of hope and assurance coming from I knew not where, great awe filled my heart. Quietly I slipped to the floor and bathed my soul in the presence of my God.

Quietly I slipped to the floor and bathed my soul in the presence of my God.

When I shared this with the late Dr. A.W. Tozer-the modern-day mystic, as he was called-he said, “Girl, did you ever think that God could have sent an angel?’ “Yes, Dr. Tozer, indeed I did”.