The roar of raiding planes could be heard over blasts of exploding bombs and the thunder of anti-aircraft guns and heavy artillery. A pall of smoke hung over the whole island Singapore was under attack. Some may personally remember the many acts of heroism during those last bitter days. This, however, is not written to record acts of love and sacrifice in that hour of need, but to relate a greater Love.
The escape to Java by a small Chinese river boat was an adventure, but again this is written to tell of a greater deliverance.
Deliverance from that inferno had been miraculous, and with Batavia harbor in sight, there came a sense of gratitude and desire to thank God. I thought that nothing short of the biggest cathedral would do for my thanks but, once ashore, I found the cathedral closed. I soon found myself with the rest of my company in a bar.
The war seemed to follow us. Events in Java moved quickly, and soon came news of surrender. I searched for a way of escape, but was soon herded into a P.O.W. camp. I thought longingly of my previous miraculous deliverance, and where my gratitude had taken me: to a bar!
Months passed, and new guards came on duty. One was so different from the rest. From the wire fence he sang hymns and spoke of the Lord Jesus with the limited knowledge of his soon-acquired English. Men thought he was silly and called him "Holy Joe." Many took unfair advantage of him, but that did not discourage him from learning more English to tell the prisoners of his Lord.
I had some knowledge of Japanese, and acted as camp interpreter, so he was able to talk more with me than with the others. One day he asked me whether I was a Christian. I saw the joy in his eyes when I replied, "Yes," but it was followed by sadness when I added, "We are all Christians!"
He told me something of what it meant to be a Christian in a heathen land. He spoke as if being a Christian meant everything to him and he referred constantly to the Lord Jesus as if He were a real, personal friend. I had never heard anyone speak like this, and his words disturbed me.
There were about 3,000 men in the camp, and I was forced to admit to myself that we had no "Christian" like this one. The name of Jesus could often be heard, but only in blasphemy. Between work details, men spent most of their time in card playing, and the conversation was what is commonly referred to as "barrack-room." Some did have Bibles, but during inspections it was obvious they were not kept for reading purposes.
Later many of us were sent to an island near New Guinea. There epidemics and starvation took a heavy toll of lives. The island was finally given up, and the pitiful remnant was packed into a ship for a 70-day-nightmare voyage back to Java. Over 300, nearly half of the men still alive, died on the way.
At last the end came, and freedom. Freedom! God had spared me and I was anxious to find the purpose, believing there must be something definite He wanted me to do. Off I went to the Church Missionary Society and offered my services.
The interviewer listened attentively to me and then came to the point: "When you are abroad, what will you tell the people?"
"All about Christianity, of course," I replied.
"Well," said he, "say we are in Japan and I'm the Japanese... you tell me what you would tell him."
Beyond stammering, "You have stone idols and we have a living God," I did not get very far and I soon wished the floor would open up and swallow me.
I went home a dejected but thoughtful man and began to study "Christianity." I soon found my life was not a Christian one. I tried to be better, but the more I tried the worse I seemed to become.
A young Christian urged me to study the Bible and attend Gospel meetings. At one meeting an elderly man spoke of the Lord Jesus in the same loving, personal way that the P.O.W. guard had done, and in the way I needed to hear. He spoke of Peter's falling down at the knees of Jesus and saying, "I am a sinful man, O Lord!"
Yes, we were all sinners. I knew I was. Then was unfolded the story of Calvary, of God's love for sinners, of God's sending His Son to die and pay the full price of their debt. God showed me that the Lord Jesus had borne my sins in His own body and had shed His precious blood for me. I received the Lord Jesus as my Savior and I was saved and knew it!
The Bible became a book to understand and love and I longed to learn more about my living Savior. The sense of relief on being freed from a prison camp was great, but the joy of being freed from the burden of sin is the greatest!
You do not have to go through such trials as I did before finding the Savior. Open your Bible at John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16): "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Then simply tell the Lord: "Yes, 'whosoever' includes me; I accept." Then thank Him for His gift and tell someone what you have done. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Rom. 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9).