This story shows us that sometimes when things seem to be falling apart, they may actually be falling into place.
It was during World War II that a United States Marine found himself isolated from his unit on a Pacific Island. He had become separated from his comrades when intense fighting and crossfire began, causing him to lose touch with them.
Alone in the dense jungle, he heard enemy soldiers approaching. He scrambled for cover and climbed a high ridge where there were several small caves in the rock. He quickly took shelter inside one of them.
He felt safe—but only for the moment. He knew the enemy soldiers would be looking for him and would likely search every cave. If they found him, he would be killed.
As he waited, he prayed:
“Lord, if it be Your will, please protect me. Whatever You will, though—I love You and trust You. Amen.”
As he sat silently, he noticed a spider beginning to weave a web across the cave’s entrance. As he watched, he could hear the enemy approaching, searching the area. He thought to himself, “What I need is a brick wall, and all that God has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor.”
The soldiers came closer and closer. The Marine, hiding in the darkness, saw them checking one cave after another. As they reached his cave, he braced for the worst—only to be astonished when they glanced at the cave entrance and passed by.
He suddenly realized that the spider’s web made the cave look untouched—as if no one had entered it for a long time.
“Lord, forgive me,” he prayed. “I had forgotten that in You, a spider’s web is stronger than a brick wall.”
There’s nothing wrong with asking God for physical protection, as long as we remember He may not always grant it the way we expect. He strengthens us through trials, and within every trial, His spiritual protection is assured.
So rather than seek complete physical protection, we can agree with James 1:2–3:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6
(Note: This verse says to trust in the Lord with all your heart. It doesn’t say to trust in yourself. It doesn’t say to figure everything out.)
Faith in God means dependence on God. He created us to rely on Him to meet our needs. Every good thing comes as a gift from God—our life, our breath, our future. That’s grace—what God gives freely, without us having to earn it.
Our entire life is lived by grace, receiving from faith to faith—one episode of trusting God to the next. God is the source. Our part is simply to depend on Him. If God brings us to it, He will bring us through it.
Faith is the bridge that carries us over the unknown waters of tomorrow.
Faith is trusting God even when we don’t understand His plan.
God’s resources to protect us are vast. When we pray, we must believe He hears us and can provide—not always the way we expect, but in His perfect wisdom and love. Sometimes with unexpected humor.
Also remember:
F.A.I.T.H. = Forsaking All I Trust Him
Real faith is not the absence of doubt.
All true faith must be tested. Doubt may come, but we don’t give up. We move forward, even when we can’t see what’s ahead.
Faith is a decision to keep going in a godly way, despite the obstacles that doubt puts in our path.
All faith requires is a desire to believe—not in ourselves, but in God, who is always faithful.
Keep believing, no matter what!
Your faith will grow stronger through the seasons of life.
Blessings,
Ben
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