A Fascinating Story of Faithfulness and Obedience

DEVOTIONAL FOR 3/17/11

When Patrick was 16 years old, and all the soldiers and police were busy in another country, a gang of bad guys kidnapped him. They took him to another country and sold him as a slave. His master had him tend his flocks out in the fields. He did not go back to the barn every night. He stayed out in the fields far away from people and houses. Patrick was very lonely and scared in this new land.

Patrick obeyed his master.

He took care of the flocks.

He prayed lots of prayers during the days and lots of prayers during the nights.

God kept Patrick safe in all kinds of weather.

Faith and love grew in his heart.

Patrick served his master for 6 years. Then he heard God tell him it was time to leave this place. So he walked over 200 miles to a port. As he was headed home he was captured and put into slavery again. But he heard God tell him that he would only be there for 2 months. So he faithfully served and waited on God’s deliverance.

When he finally got back to his country he wandered around. He was searching for his purpose and what God wanted him to do for Him. He went to school to prepare to serve God.

One night he had a dream that the people from the land of his slavery were calling out to him, to please come help them. He knew from that point on what God wanted him to do. He sought wise counsel and he continued in his studies. After a few years, someone else from the school was chosen to go to reach out and minister to those people. He was disappointed but he again waited on God. He continued to study and kept praying.

Just a few years later he was finally sent to the land of his slavery. He already understood what the people believed and how they struggled. They did not believe in the One True God in heaven. They worshipped everything in nature. Patrick used nature to teach them about the Creator. For instance, he would hold up a shamrock, which has 3 leaves, and ask them how many seeds did a shamrock come from? One seed, they would answer. Then he would explain the Trinity. That the Godhead came from One with 3 parts: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Ghost).

Patrick taught that God is always with us, even when things are hard, sad or lonely. After just 6 years he had influenced and led so many people to belief in the Lord that the laws were being changed to agree with the gospel. He founded 365 churches and built schools next to most of them. Science and education increased throughout the country. Patrick loved God and he loved the people. He stayed and taught for 60 years.

On March 17 in the year of our Lord 493 (Four hundred ninety-three) Patrick died in Ireland. Today people all over the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day for many reasons, some for spiritual, some for pleasure, and some just because it looks like the thing to do. Now you know the real reason for this Irish holy day. The Irish choose to honor St. Patrick in appreciation for his faithfulness and obedience in bringing Christianity to them. 

Proverbs 4:18

The ways of right-living people glow with light;

the longer they live, the brighter they shine.

(The Message)

Written by Mary Wilkins