Close on his heels

Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. — Matthew 4:19

Stan and Jennifer were speaking at a mission conference in Marion, North Carolina, after their first term of service on the field.

Jennifer told of a Bible study she had held with one woman. The two were discussing Matthew 4:19, and the woman told Jennifer about a word in her native language, which means follow. She said, “It is the word for following closely, not at a distance.”

To illustrate, Jennifer held up slippers used by the native women, showing one far behind the other. Then she moved one slipper right up against the back of the other one, and said that the word means “to follow right on one’s heels.” It suggests that we are to follow Jesus as closely as possible.

Later, when Jennifer was reading over the journal she had been keeping, she was surprised to see that she had often questioned, “Is Jesus enough?” She had been working her way through culture shock, loneliness, illness, and childlessness. At times she had felt far from Christ. But when through prayer and faith she had drawn as close to Him as she could, walking “right on His heels,” He had calmed her soul, restored her strength, and given her peace.

Are you feeling far from the Lord — empty, weak, and afraid? It’s time to follow close on His heels. — Dave Egner

God give me the faith of a little child!

A faith that will look to Thee —

That never will falter and never fail,

But follow Thee trustingly.— Showerman

READ: Matthew 4:18-25

The closer we walk with God, the clearer we see His guidance.

The Bible in one year:

• Jeremiah 1-2

• 1 Timothy 3