THE patient forbearance of God, towards those whom He approaches with the Gospel, and who yet exhibit opposition to it, is wonderful and gracious.
He works in a way altogether His own, to remove obstinacy and willfulness, and to bring the heart into such an attitude, as shall cause it not only to be subject to Him, but will also lead it to entreat His blessing and respond to His love―thus reversing the whole situation.
As an instance of this, it may be related that, in a district in New Zealand, there had been Gospel meetings, with much blessing as the result.
A special case was that of a school, where many were saved―believing on Jesus; moved by His dying on their behalf, His resurrection and ascension to glory, to prepare a place for them for all eternity.
Connected with this establishment, however, one young lady refused to be affected by the message of the God who gave His Son to die for our sins, and raised Him again for our justification. She said she should adhere to the world!
This led a few who were associated with her, but who had received the blessing, to earnestly pray that she might submit herself to the Lord.
One bright moonlight night they drew together in a room for this purpose.
While this was in progress, the young lady being asleep, dreamed that the Lord had come for His own, to take them to be with Him in glory; and in terror and despair began to think that she had been left behind, and that it was all true what her friends had so often read from the Scriptures and spoken about (1 Thess. 4:13-18,13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18) etc.).
Awaking, she arose, and finding all the adjoining beds of her friends vacant, she felt as if her dream was confirmed, and so her anxiety deepened.
She wandered along the corridor, scarcely knowing what she was doing, and presently heard voices praying.
As she listened, she heard them say― “Oh, Lord! Come in, and save her.”
She opened the door gently, and went in and knelt down beside them; praying― “Oh, Lord! Come, and save me.”
Suffice it to say, that God heard this united cry, and answered it by turning the heart of the young lady to absolute faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour: alike to her own joy and that of her Christian friends.
Now, it will be noted in the foregoing narrative, that the opposition of the young person was really due to hardness of heart; and with regard to that, God’s word says: ― “Today, if ye will hear His Voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 4:77Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Hebrews 4:7)).
Thus the blessed Lord interceded with by her friends, and caused her to hear His Voice; He instantly removed the hardness and turned her heart towards Himself.
May this thought move any who are in distance and alienation from God, to listen to His appeal: “My son give me thine heart” (Prov. 23:2626My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. (Proverbs 23:26)).
Let the above incident be an encouragement to those who wait upon God for those who are yet in their sins.
Prayer, without doubt, is an unfailing resource, for God delights to answer to.it; and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is always attended with His blessing (Luke 5:2020And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. (Luke 5:20)).
T. K.