The Night John Paton's House Was Surrounded

In 1862, missionary John Paton huddled with his wife inside their small mission house on the island of Tanna in the New Hebrides. Outside, hostile warriors had encircled the dwelling, torches flickering in the tropical darkness. Paton had no weapons, no reinforcements, no escape route. He had only prayer.

All through that long night, Paton and his wife knelt on the dirt floor, crying out to the Almighty for deliverance. When dawn broke, the warriors had inexplicably withdrawn. Every last one had vanished into the jungle.

Months later, the chief of that tribe came to faith in Christ. Paton asked him directly: why did your men not attack that night? The chief looked puzzled. "Who were all those men with you?" he asked. "We saw hundreds of tall soldiers in shining garments standing guard around your house. We were afraid to advance."

Paton had seen no one. But the God who heard his desperate prayers had stationed an unseen garrison around two trembling servants.