Several years ago an engineer brought his train to a standstill at a little town in Massachusetts where the passengers were given a few minutes for lunch. A lady came along on the platform and said, "The conductor tells me the train at the junction leaves fifteen minutes before our arrival. This is Saturday, and that is the last train. I have a very sick child in the coach and no money for a hotel, nor for a private conveyance a long way in the country. What shall I do?”
"Well I wish I could tell you," said the engineer. "Would it be possible for you to hurry a little?" said the heart-broken mother.
"No, madam. I have my time-table, my schedule, and the rules, and I must run by them.”
She sorrowfully turned away, leaving the bronzed face of the tender-hearted engineer wet with tears.
Presently she returned and said, "Are you a Christian?”
"I trust I am," was his reply.
"Will you pray with me that the Lord may in some way detain the train at the junction?”
"Why, yes, I will pray with you, but I have not much faith.”
Just then the conductor cried, "All aboard!" The poor woman hurried back to her sick child and away sped the train, climbing the steep grade.
"Somehow or other," said the engineer, "everything worked like a charm. As I prayed, I couldn't help letting out my engine. We hardly stopped at the first station half a minute, and then away again. Once over the summit, it was easy to give her a little more. The more I prayed, the more steam was let on, until at last we seemed to shoot through the air. Somehow I could not hold her, knowing I had the road; so we dusted up to the station six minutes ahead of time. There stood the other train, and the conductor with his lantern on his arm.”
"Will you tell me," said he, "what I am waiting for? Somehow I felt I must wait till you came tonight, but I don't know why.”
"I guess," said the brother conductor, "it is for this poor woman who has a sick child, and is very anxious to get home tonight." But the man at the engine and the grateful Christian mother knew why the train had waited. Thus our God hears and answers prayers. One train held, the other hurried on, that this child of God might reach her destination.
Beloved, God's Word says we are "hasting unto the coming of the day of God." Are you ready?
This cheering incident suggests another scripture. The delayed train is like "the long-suffering of God." "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9). Here we learn why "the gospel of the grace of God" still goes out, why the gospel train is still held, and kept from moving off; why the Lord tarries; why the rapture of the saints does not take place; why this train of grace does not move away, and leave you to perish. You, dear loved one, are not on board.
Soon, the day of salvation will end and then will dawn "the day of God." While it is the day of grace, I pray you, be ready! For the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.