Perhaps you know about Arnhem. The story of the bravery and sufferings of soldiers there will have a distinguished place in the recorded history of World War 2.
When the main body of British troops finally reached this little district in Holland which had witnessed such harrowing scenes, a sergeant reconnoitering a site for his section came across a young German paratrooper who had been killed in the final attack. He was one of many, and in those last days of the bitter struggle there was less time than ever for sympathy or tenderness of heart. The gilt edge of a Bible which protruded from the tunic pocket of the dead youth caught the sergeant's eye, however, and he stooped to examine it. It was a beautifully bound volume and apparently it had been well used.
Being himself a Christian, the sergeant's heart was deeply touched as he looked again at his erstwhile enemy. Feelings which do not know the hatred of national differences or racial distrust were aroused. Soon there would be better times of peace when he might be able to bring some comfort to the bereaved parents if he sent them this Bible, which obviously had been a cherished possession of their son. Actuated by these motives, he took the Bible and hurried on in pursuit of his duties.
More than two years later, the sergeant demobilized and again in his family circle, showed the Bible to a friend. To his regret, he had been unable to fulfill the purpose he had in taking it since no address appeared on it. The name was clearly written, but this did not give any clue as to the whereabouts of the relatives.
Interested in its story, the friend perused the Bible to see the rendering in German of certain passages he knew well. In so doing, he discovered that a verse in Isaiah, chapter 9, was underlined. It reads thus: "For the leaders of this people cause them to ere; and they that are led of them are destroyed."
This greatly deepened the interest of the reader, and immediately he searched throughout all the text to discover if there was any other marking. There was only one more, but the significant association of the two verses seemed so wonderful that for the moment he was quite overcome. The other verse was Romans 8:2828And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
In underlining the first of these passages, the young German had doubtless in mind the men who had led his country to ruin, but we may infer that his judgment was based upon what he had found true of himself. When confronted with the truth as to our own sinful condition, naturally we shrink from it. But hearken to the glorious invitation which, if heeded, will dispel all fear and terror from our breasts. Even our sins and iniquities, repented of and cleansed by His precious blood, can be used of God as some of the "all things" that teach us hard-to-learn lessons of His love and grace.