Anna Quarles had been lingering many days between life and death. She had heard the gospel many times, but she still had no peace, no assurance of her sins having been forgiven. Yes, she had heard the gospel; but she had been taught to add to the atoning work of Christ her own faith and prayers, as though Christ had done His part, and now she must do hers.
Was it surprising that she knew no peace? Weak in body, and anxious of soul, she lingered day after day. Occasionally a visitor would tell her to pray, so that Jesus might bless her; but that she must exercise her own faith and come to Him aright.
Though there was a measure of truth in this, yet it was far from answering in full her soul's need. Discouraged as she was, it was not strange that, when asked if my visit would be agreeable to her, she said, "What is the use? So many come to see me almost daily, and none of them help me."
However she was finally persuaded by her mother and aunt to see me, and I called on her. As I entered the sickroom, I definitely felt that God had a message for me to deliver to that weary soul. She was very weak, and scarcely able to move her head. Looking to the Lord as I went in, I quietly asked, "Are you resting by faith upon the finished work of Christ on the cross?"
Startled by the question, she slowly shook her head, saying, "I don't understand it. I can't pray."
"God is not asking you to pray," I replied. "Listen to His words: 'We are ambassadors for Christ; as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God.'
"God, by the mouth of His servant Paul, is urging you, 'Be ye reconciled.' Now, won't you be reconciled? He says nothing to you about your sins, for 'God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them!"
"Oh, I haven't faith enough."
"God is not asking you for a great amount of faith. Do you believe that God is able to save you?
"Well, then, I have proof in the Lord's personal ministry here upon this earth, that He is not seeking for any particular amount of faith. Remember that poor leper of Matthew 8. He was an outcast, afflicted with a disease that was most abhorrent. Slowly, surely, it was dragging him down to the gates of death. He believed that Jesus was able to cleanse him, but he did not believe He was willing. Said he, 'Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.'
"Mark how dishonoring to the Lord was that unbelieving `if.' But what a need was his!
"What was the immediate answer of the Lord Jesus? 'I will; be thou clean.'
"Not the leper's great faith cured him, though there was faith too. It was his need that brought him to Christ. Our gracious Lord saw his need. That was enough to draw forth a stream of blessing to the poor doubting leper. Much prayers and great faith the Lord does not require. Just bring your need to Him; and as with the leper, so with you, your blessing is assured."
With this the sick girl's face lighted up. With a look of infinite relief she lay quietly upon her pillow, relaxed and at rest. Through simple faith in the finished work of Christ upon the cross, and by no exercise of prayer nor seeking great faith, she was able to commit all to Him, the author and finisher of faith.
A mind at "perfect peace" with God—
Oh, what a word is this!
A sinner reconciled through blood—
This, this indeed is peace.
So near, so very near to God,
Nearer I cannot be,
For in the Person of His Son
I am as near as He.
So dear, so very dear to God,
Dearer I cannot be,
The love wherewith He loves His Son,
Such is His love to me.