One hot summer morning a business meeting was scheduled for a group of Christian men. As moderator, it was my duty to be present and to help secure the attendance of as many of that company as I could.
On my way to the place of meeting, I first picked up my friend, Bruce. I was surprised when he insisted that I wait long enough for him to summon a neighbor for me to meet.
This neighbor, J. T. Holbrook, was a taciturn sort of fellow; and when Bruce volunteered the information that I was a preacher, I could feel the spirit of resistance that J. T. had built up around himself.
Sensing that the challenge was not against me personally, but was evidence of his rejection of my blessed Lord, I was pressed in spirit to present to this rebellious one the legitimate claims of the Savior of sinners on those for whom He has shed His own precious blood.
Silently seeking the Lord's guidance, I came quickly to the point by asking J. T.: "Do you not long to know the love of God in Christ Jesus? Would not your life be happier and more meaningful if you had Christ as your Savior?"
Instantly I saw a puzzled expression on the man's face. Was he resenting my question? Or was he unconscious of his attitude of rebellion against a loving God? I could not at the moment judge satisfactorily just what was the true answer; but desiring to arouse his conscience and to present briefly the claims of Christ, I asked: "Are you a lost sinner?"
To my surprise his expression changed completely. First, momentary shock, then shame, followed by—was it despair?—registered on his face. His voice came to my ears almost in a whisper: "Lost? Oh, God, lost. Man, you hit it on the head!"
Louder, he demanded: "Come in here with me." With a quick glance at my watch I followed him, determined to make short work of this interruption of my morning's schedule.
Inside the little cottage the troubled man turned to face me. Verging on hysteria, he blurted out: "Man, you said it. I am lost, and how lost God alone knows. I'm just about at the end of my tether, and Satan holds the other. Now where do I go? Which way do I turn? Who has the answer?"
The poor fellow was now weeping, and I knew I must try to point him to the only One who has all the answers. One after another I quoted scriptures which by the Spirit of God came into my mind, such as: "Jesus said... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).
Realizing that J. T. was now quieter, I knelt beside my chair and committed him and his problems to the God of all grace. As I bade him good-by, I wondered if he had received the Word he had just heard; but he did not seem inclined for further conversation. However, as I started out he asked if he might ride with us. Gladly we made room in the car, hoping for another opportunity to point him to Christ. But this was not to be, at this time, for, at the little nearby pharmacy he asked to be let out.
All that day I was troubled by thoughts of the weeping man and constantly I cried to the Lord for him and his problems. Oh, that I might have another talk with him! God answered this prayer by a phone call from J. T. It came after supper as I was preparing to leave for a special meeting. "Mr. Jay," he said, "If you are the preacher who talked to me this morning, will you come right now and answer some questions?"
Scarcely knowing how to answer such importunity, yet thanking the Lord for thus granting my prayer, I felt constrained to keep my appointment first. So, firmly but gently, I promised to see him after the meeting. To my surprise his impatient reply came as he slammed the receiver down: "You preachers are all alike!"
Earlier, I had told my wife of the morning's encounter; and now, as she realized the import of this call, she besought me not to answer it. "I have inquired about this J. T. Holbrook," she said. "He is a desperate character, and could do you harm."
How comforting to my heart came the words of the Lord: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." Isa. 41:1010Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10).
Immediately after the meeting I drove to the little cottage where I had talked to J. T. Holbrook that morning, and as I drove, I cried to the Lord for wisdom. Again came the precious verse of Isaiah 41:1010Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10). Surely I could say, with the Apostle Paul: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil. 4:1313I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13).
Nearing the Holbrook home, I saw that the house was dark; but pacing the sidewalk in front was the figure of a man. By the light of my headlights I soon recognized J. T. While I drew up to the curb he stood there silently watching; and as I stepped out, he greeted me almost apologetically with, "I thought you were like the rest: all talk."
Determined to let J. T. take the initiative, I waited quietly while he seemed to be gathering his courage. And at last it came!
"You preachers! All you can do is quote Scripture and pray; and I had told you I was lost-I still don't know where I am nor what to do. I'm at the end of my rope.
"This morning when I left you and went to the drug store, my mind was made up. Death is easy and cyanide is quick; but old John would not let me have it.
"That had been my final resort—to end it all. But some of those verses this morning have given me second thoughts. Maybe there is something more than death for me—and if there is, please, oh please, tell me!"
Together we entered J. T.'s cottage again. With the light turned on, we sat close to each other as we read some of the verses given by the Spirit that morning. Using these same scriptures I sought to show this poor desperate man God's way to eternal life! He quickly laid hold of the fact that his sinful nature as well as his sinful life had separated him from a holy God, and that his only hope of salvation lay in genuine repentance for his sins and a living faith in the efficacy of the shed blood of God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
As we talked of the wondrous love that had brought the Lord of glory into this world of sin and sorrow, small noises from an adjoining room betrayed the presence of an unseen listener. I was just rising to leave when this person entered the room, and J. T. introduced his wife. Her eyes shining with joy, she exclaimed: "Mr. Jay, I've never heard anything like this. You have made it all so plain and so precious. How can we help but love that blessed One?"
Mrs. Holbrook's whole-hearted acceptance of the Lord seemed to be the final touch to break down whatever barriers remained in J. T.'s heart. With his arms around both his wife and myself, we three lifted our hearts in thanksgiving and praise to the Savior of sinners.