Related commentaries – Deliverance

God Helps His People Fight Their Battles – Zechariah 9:11 – 9:17

Paton - Tribal Chief Sees Hundreds Protecting Him

John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave.  Later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from killing them. The chief replied that he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station. Paton knew no men were present. (Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 18)