“Lord, stretch our fuel so that we do not have to purchase on the Sabbath day,” we prayed. We had forgotten to fill the tank with fuel before sundown on Friday, and the trip back over that familiar road to Khon Kaen would take at least six hours.

We had enjoyed a heart-warming musical concert in the beautiful new Chinese SDA Church in Bangkok that Sabbath. Blessed and inspired, and not wanting to get home too late, our two vehicles rolled out of the parking lot toward home. Those in the loaded van had some detours and errands to take care of before leaving the city, but we were free to travel straight home. We visited a little longer and had a prayer, as we always do, before we left.

Tropical downpours are very familiar to us nowadays, so we did not take much notice as we left. Our group sang and enjoyed a pleasant ride despite the heavy city traffic. As we reached the end of the Sabbath hours and our fuel, we saw the petrol station ahead. The rain had stopped, but puddles on the road told us how heavy the downpour had been. Slowing down to turn into the station, we came upon an extra-large puddle that stretched most of the way across our lane. Thinking nothing of it, we plowed into the puddle . . . one hiding a very deep hole. The car jolted significantly. We rode on to the station, but feared what we would find.

Sure enough, the back left tire was quickly going flat. But looking at the front tire, we all noticed a big bulge. Two tires destroyed! We had just one spare tire, and we were in a pickle. I immediately envisioned having to take a motel and waiting until the next day for the tire to be repaired.

Our emergency did not take God by surprise, however. Moments later, as I approached the restrooms, I spotted the ladies from the other vehicle. They had stopped at the same station moments ahead of us.

Of course, the big question was where to find a tire shop open at this hour. Google to the rescue! The smartphones quickly told us that a tire shop was just around the corner, less than half a kilometer away. Thank you, Lord. Picking up our flat tire, our able-bodied friend set off to the local shop for repair or replacement. While we waited, Bruce put the spare tire on the back to replace the punctured one. Moments later, his phone rang with the news that, although the shop had been closing, they had seen the driver’s distress and helped her. As she explained about the second tire, the kind gentleman agreed to stay open while Bruce brought the other tire to them.

Rolling the bulging tire down the road proved to be an adventure, but eventually everyone was back together, and two new tires later, we were back on the road.

Was it just by chance that we had the unfortunate encounter with the pothole so close to the service station? Was it just by chance that our friends had stopped at the same station?

Was it by chance that the small repair shop was so close by? Or that, even though the 6 o’clock closing time had passed, the owner was still there and willing to provide service?

Was it by chance that this little shop had two new tires that fit our particular car and sold them to us for the amazing price of just 1500 baht ($45.50)?

I would suggest that we have a wonderful Heavenly Father who keeps His promise.

“For He will assign His angels to guard you, ensuring your safety in all your endeavors. . . . He will seek my presence, and I will respond to his call. I will stand by him during his trials, delivering him and honoring him” (Psalms 91:11, 15).

• Twitter