Online Editor, The Nation, Sunday Oguntola shares his experience of a narrow escape and divine intervention.

It was the Oshodi of old. The one that was more of a jungle than a market. The time was around 8 pm. I was on the railway track surrounded by dirt and people selling stuff.

Hard-pressed, I moved to a darker part to ease myself. In those days, one could literally get away with a minute to defecate. That was how terrible the popular market used to be. This time I needed to urinate and picked what I considered a good spot to let go.

As I got to the business of quick urination, one of the street urchins approached me. He looked at everything menacing. My heart skipped and sank. I knew he didn’t have good intentions. Something then told me my street sense could help.

So, I engaged him. I pleaded I needed to ease myself. I was sorry for intruding on his territory and would compensate him. He would have nothing of such. The more I engaged, the angrier he became. Before I could grant a glance, he gave me a deadly blow, one that hurt my stomach.

The pain was excruciatingly bad. Before I could balance, he made to land another on me. That was when the light hit me. I remembered I was a child of God. I didn’t deserve such ill-treatment. I have a father I could call upon to show up.

I cried out in agony, much driven by the pain the oncoming blow could deal on me. I knew I needed him desperately. Nobody was around to save me. And I cried out unashamedly. “Jesus, save me,” I said.

By then, he was about to empty my pocket. I had a mobile phone and a lot of cash on me. On one of my hands was a Bible. I was returning from a fellowship in Festac where I ministered. The bible didn’t deter the hardened hoodlum. He saw a prey to feast on.

But I was a difficult prey. He got to know a few minutes later. From nowhere, another hoodlum appeared. I couldn’t have seen him coming. He appeared like lightning and obstructed the criminal trying to hurt me.

“How dare you touch him, ” he barked. “Don’t you know who he is?” I was stunned. This must be an angel disguised as a hoodlum. He apologised to me after landing several blows on the other guy. He chased him away after recovering everything he took from me.

My confidence returned. I just called on God and he appeared in a few seconds. “Pastor, sorry. We have told them to know those to mess around with,” he said as I explained I only needed to urinate and had begged the other guy. “Please, go your way, sir,” he said.

It was not the first time I was experiencing divine help. God reminded me of that encounter this morning. He said I should let you know He can do much more for you. You only need to call upon Him. Romans 10: 13 says “EVERYONE that calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

What help do you need today? Jesus is more than ready to assist you. You don’t have to stress or figure things out on your own. Just call upon Him. Don’t feel too big or shy to do so. Jesus is alive to help you. Call upon Him and experience His help. Shalom!