It's All Good

Years ago, there was a young king that loved to hunt on the vast property around his castle. He would shoot quail, pheasant and deer for his table. His most faithful servant and aide would always accompany him on his daily tramp into the woods and meadows. The servant's primary job was to reload the king's rifle with powder, wadding and pellets after each shot fired. The servant would always say, "It's all good, my king."

While on one particular hunting trip, the servant reloaded the king's gun with a double-load of powder, either by error, laziness or a forgetful mind. In any case, when the king took aim and fired the rifle, a tremendous backfire occured through the powder hole [in those days cartridges hadn't been invented] and he blew off his thumb. In a rage of pain, anger and affliction, the king immediately condemned his servant to a lifetime in prison, at which, the servant stated, "It's all good, my king."

Years later, the king went on an Amazon River expedition to a undiscovered native tribal village. He found out that it was the time of the year when the natives celebrated a ceremonial sacrifice to their gods. The king, in great fear, quickly deduced [but not quick enough] that he was to be the sacrifice. While he was being prepared by the tribal warriors, as the perfect candidate, it was discovered that the king was missing a thumb. The tribal chief disqualified him because he was not perfect and would not please the gods. He left the jungle in great haste and jubilance to return to his kingdom. during his voyage home, the king reviewed the events of his adventure and suddenly a thought about his servant in prison came into his rememberance. He immediately felt in his heart that his servant and the hunting accident were the real reasons for his escape from a sure death.

Upon arriving home, the king rushed to the prison and had his servant freed. With much remorse and humility, he related all the events of the voyage and apologized profusely to his servant, restoring his lost position and reputation in the kingdom. The servant's response to the king was, "It's all good, my king." The king, hearing that familiar statement from his servant, asked "Why did you say, It's all good, my king, after being imprisoned by me for so long?" The servant's answer was, "My king, if I wasn't in prison - I might have been the sacrifice."

How could this story relate to our own lives? For example, the king was quick to punish someone else for a mistake made . Was he right to imprison his servant? However, he was also quick to repent of his action, later on. Why would the servant readily accept his punishment from the king, without objection? Both the king and his servant suffered in some fashion, as a result of the hunting accident - but at the end of the story it turned out - all good. Is there a Bible lesson we can learn from this story?