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In a tribal village there
once lived four men, each with a particular limitation.
The first was blind, the second couldn't hear, the third
was lame, and the fourth man was a beggar. To this village
came an angel in disguise. The angel asked each man what
he wanted most.
Naturally the blind man replied, "My Sight!" The deaf man
wanted his hearing, while the lame man wanted the use of
his legs. The beggar asked for money to feed and clothe
his family. To their surprise, the stranger granted each
of their wishes. The men, in return, thanked the stranger
and vowed never to forget his kindness.
Years later the angel returned. When the man who had been
blind saw him, he thought, "He's probably come back to ask
for money just because he did me a little favor." When the
angel asked him how he was doing, the man who had received
his sight answered, "Not well; I have to do everything for
myself now. Nobody will help me anymore."
"Very well," replied the angel, "then you shall have your
blindness back." And with that the man became blind again.
The man who had been deaf had a similar attitude when he
saw the angel. "How is it to be able to hear?" asked the
angel. "Oh, it has its disadvantages," complained the man.
"So many sounds get on my nerves and keep me awake at
night."
"Very well," replied the angel, "then you shall have your
hearing taken away from you." And the man was deaf once
again! The lame man, too, was suspicious of the angel. "He
probably wants me to do something for him just because he
helped me a long time ago. Well, I'm too busy so I won't!"
When the angel asked him how he liked using his legs, the
man replied, "I can't run very fast, and at night they
sometimes ache." And he suddenly found himself lame once
again.
The angel finally visited the man who had been a beggar.
He now lived in a beautiful house and dressed in fine
clothes. The angel knocked on the door and asked for a
drink of water. Although the man didn't recognize the
angel, he invited him in and asked him to stay for dinner.
"Why are you so kind?" asked the angel. "Because years ago
someone helped me when I was poor, and now I show my
gratitude by helping others," the man answered.
"Very well," the angel replied. "You shall keep your
wealth!"
This same angel brought blessing and calamity-a principle
that is abundantly supported by the Bible. God's mercy and
love are extended to those who seek Him with all their
hearts; but for those who turn their backs on Him, God's
wrath can have devastating results! And angels are God's
agents in both instances.
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