Worn out, desperate refugees sleep on the ground

Prepare me a lodging!!

By Helen Jesze, 11^th March 2022

“But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.”

Philemon 22 KJV

This verse came in my Bible reading this morning, and I was reminded about an incident several years ago. George had invited Evangelist Johan Maasbach from The Hague, Netherlands to come and hold a series of meetings in our area, in South Germany, and George would interpret into German. On the morning of the first meeting, in my Bible reading, this same verse stood out to me. I thought it was strange, as the hotel lodgings and everything else was already arranged. Nevertheless, in obedience to the Holy Spirit, I made up five more beds in our house, bought extra food and off we went to the service.

Afterwards, a lady came up and said, “I wonder if you can help me. Four friends and I – and our dog! – have come down from North Germany for the meetings and we have nowhere to stay the night, and no money for a hotel.” I laughed and said, “The Lord has it all arranged! He spoke to me this morning and I have 5 beds waiting and you are very welcome – and the dog!” In faith they came that God would provide for them, longing to see the Lord at work through Bro. Maasbach. They were not disappointed on either score, for the Holy Spirit worked mightily in the service and a lodging was already prepared!

In 1970, George, I and our 3 year old son were travelling for 7 months, holding meetings in various European countries. We had just reached Northern Germany and a meeting had been cancelled, so we were left with no lodgings and no money for a hotel. There were two more days before we were due at our next place. Our sandwiches were all eaten, and we were almost down to our last German Mark. This was before mobile phones so at the next phone-box, George got out and rang a lady’s number which we had been given, in case we were stuck or needed help.

This Christian lady invited us to her house. As we went in, she said, “Now I know about the roast duck!” We were very puzzled as we had no idea what she was talking about. She told us that the Lord had instructed her to buy a duck, and it was already browning nicely in the oven! She had bought the bird although she could not understand the reason, and living on her own, wondered how she would be able to eat it! Then we unexpectedly turned up! God had gone before, and let me tell you, that duck tasted delicious!! We did not have to go hungry and a most comfortable lodging had been prepared!

When the Apostle Paul wrote those words, he was imprisoned in Rome. Being a Roman citizen, he did not have to stay in prison, but was able to live in his own rented house, chained to a guard. Yet Philemon and many others were praying for his release, so Paul asked that a lodging should be prepared for him as he believed that God would graciously answer.

The above photo shows weary refugees from Ukraine who are fleeing the war but do not yet have the blessing of a lodging. They have just dropped to the ground to sleep. People in several countries are offering refugees lodgings and practical help. A charity with whom I am associated has just sent off a bus to bring back Ukrainian refugees to Holland. This is a much bigger need than the lodgings that the friends and their dog, or that my little family needed, yet God is concerned about the practicalities of Life, as he sees our broken world, and wants us to come with our big and small needs to him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your loving kindness and the preparations you make for your children and those in need. Show us what you would have us do each day; may we be obedient to your prompting, and give us the strength to undertake the task you put before us. It may be “preparing a lodging” or something quite different to help the needy and to bring glory to you! We pray in Jesus Name, Amen.