Emma's New Muff
God is our keeper, and He is wiser than we, guiding us through trials and times of need.
D.L. Moody shares a touching story about his daughter Emma and her new muff, illustrating the importance of trusting in God's guidance. Despite her initial reluctance to take her father's hand, Emma learns that true safety comes from accepting help when faced with challenges. Moody emphasizes that just as he was there to support Emma, God is always ready to hold us up and guide us through life's slippery paths. The sermon highlights the wisdom of relying on God's strength rather than our own understanding.
Text
I remember one time my little girl was teasing her mother to get her a muff, and so one day her mother brought a muff home, and, although it was storming, she very naturally wanted to go out in order to try her new muff. So she tried to get me to go out with her. I went out with her, and I said, "Emma, better let me take your hand." She wanted to keep her hands in her muff, and so she refused to take my hand. Well, by-and-by she came to an icy place, her little feet slipped, and down she went.
When I helped her up, she said, "Papa, you may give me your little finger." "No, my daughter, just take my hand." "No, no, papa, give me your little finger." Well, I gave my finger to her, and for a little way she got along nicely, but pretty soon we came to another icy place, and again she fell.
This time she hurt herself a little, and she said, "Papa, give me your hand," and I gave her my hand, and closed my fingers about her wrist, and held her up so that she could not fall. Just so God is our keeper. He is wiser than we.
Sermon Outline
- God's Providence
- Human Tendency to Resist God's Care
- God's Response to Our Resistance
- Patience and understanding
- Guidance through trials
Key Quotes
“Just so God is our keeper. He is wiser than we.” — D.L. Moody
“God is wiser than we.” — D.L. Moody
“He is our keeper.” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- We can trust God's care by recognizing His wisdom and providence in our lives.
- We should not resist God's care, but instead, trust in His guidance and patience.
- God's care is available to us in times of need, and we can apply it to our daily lives by trusting in His wisdom.