“THE Lord did indeed stand by me, as really as you are at this moment”―were among the first words I heard, as I entered the sick room of a suffering child of God, living in my neighborhood. This dear Christian lady and her husband, I had often heard about, as most earnest servants of God, and had longed to make their acquaintance, without well knowing how to do so, for they led very busy lives, both in the Lord’s work and in their own walk of life.
Time went on, and I heard that Mrs.― was ill, and might have to undergo a surgical operation. On hearing this, I wondered if it was the Lord’s opportunity for my getting to know her.
Three passages were given to me for her, I most plainly felt, and I put them down at once, and having written them out, posted them in time for her to receive just before the doctor arrived.
Mrs.―did not then know from whence they came, but these words of God came with power, at a moment of much need, for she was expecting the two operating surgeons at any moment. She had been going through much exercise of mind, as to having anything to produce unconsciousness during the operation, and had asked the Lord to be very definitely and distinctly with her, and that she might be enabled to bear a clear testimony before the doctors (both unconverted) as to the Lord’s mighty power and faithfulness to His promise.
On the doctor’s arrival he began to prepare to administer chloroform, but Mrs.― so decidedly refused, that he became very angry, and said, he neither could nor would operate if she did not submit, his time being too precious for such trifling.
Mrs.― replied, “I am quite ready, doctor, and will not inconvenience you in any way.”
He asked her reason, but would hardly allow her to speak because of his anger. At last she had the opportunity of saying―
“Why, doctor, if I had asked an earthly friend to be with me, to comfort and soothe, and I were deliberately to take something to make me insensible to her presence, what would she think? Then how could I treat my blessed Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, in such a way? I asked Him to be with me during the operation, and He has given me a certain knowledge that He will, and I know He will, so how could I take anything which would make me miss His holy presence; I could not do it, sir. Please to go on; I shall not be any trouble to you, for He has said, ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’ So that I may boldly say the Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. I depend on every word my Master says.”
After more very strong language the doctor yielded―but insisted on using a local application to deaden pain.
This dear child of God was kept in “perfect peace” as she watched the knife doing its work, and knew the Lord’s own presence with her, more distinctly than words could tell.
When it was over the doctors were too much astounded to say a word more, and evidently were solemnized, when, in answer to an inquiry from them, Mrs.― said, “The Lord Jesus was as near and clearly with me, sir, as you were in bodily presence, and I am at perfect peace, and have very little pain.”
I could but think of Moses, whose face shone with heavenly light, as I looked upon dear Mrs.― “so safe, so calm, so satisfied,” was what her countenance expressed.
Dear fellow Christians, what cannot our gracious Lord do for, and be to the feeblest of His saints, if only we will “yield ourselves to God as those that are alive from the dead”?
I called to inquire after the invalid in a day or two, and was asked if I could help to find who had sent those texts, and on my owning to it, was invited to go up and see her. Thus a true friendship in the Lord commenced, and many a sweet lesson has been learned by me from the faith and patience of Mrs.― and her husband. M. A. C.