Related commentaries – Deliverance

A Prayer For The Lord’s Help – Psalms 140:1 – 140:13

Missionary John Paton Protected From Hostile Natives

John Patton, a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands was surrounded one night by hostile natives who were intent on burning out the Patton’s and killing them. Patton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliverthem. When daylight came, they were amazed to see their attackers leave. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Patton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, “Who were all those men with you there?” Patton knew no men were present—but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men with drawn swords circling the mission station. (Today in the Word, MBI, October 1991, p. 18).