"How good it would be if He came tonight!”
These words fell on my ears, as I looked up from the book I was reading. "If who came tonight?" I wondered. Perhaps we were going to have a visitor, and my curiosity was aroused.
As I listened further I found out it was JESUS of whom my two friends were talking. Quick as a thought the answer rose in my own mind: "Oh, no! It would not be good if He came TONIGHT. I am not ready to meet Him.”
Right well I knew that Jesus is coming back again. And I knew that only those whose sins are forgiven will go to be with Him, and that those who are not ready will be left behind for judgment.
But "coming tonight!" Somehow I hadn't even thought that possible. And as for death, was I not young and well, and likely to live a great many years yet? Thus I had believed Satan's lie: "There is plenty of time.”
After thinking it over for a few moments, I turned again to the book I had before thought so interesting. Now it had lost its charm and in my ears were ringing the words: "Coming tonight, coming tonight.”
Time sped on and these solemn words were, ever before me. I was awakened to see my danger. I knew I was not converted and I really meant to be—some day. But what if that were true—He's coming tonight? Everyone seemed so unconcerned while many a night I lay awake, unable to go to sleep lest Jesus should come and leave me behind.
At last I went to a gospel meeting. Previously I had been glad when the preaching was over, but tonight I listened to every word as for my very life. Nothing the preacher said seemed to fill my need. Afterward a gentleman said to me: "Do you know Jesus?”
He opened the Bible I had been reading so diligently during the past months, and read: "He was wounded for my transgressions, He was bruised for my iniquities: the chastisement of my peace was upon Him; and with His stripes I am healed." (Isa. 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)).
That night I put myself in that verse and I learned that Jesus had died for me. Still I could not say that I was saved. I tried to feel saved and to act saved but I did not know.
This continued for weeks. On Sundays I was hoping; on Mondays I was doubting; and at last I was almost despairing of ever knowing the peace I longed for. At length, when I think I must have done everything I could to hinder Jesus from saving me, I shut myself in my room and told Him I had tried to make myself better and I had failed. If He would just take me as I was, guilty, lost, and helpless, I would give myself to Him. I knelt there in the deep consciousness that I was in the presence of a holy God and that my only plea for salvation was Jesus and the cross of Calvary. Would He receive me? Sweetly the words from Isaiah came into my mind: "I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine." Isa. 43:11But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (Isaiah 43:1).
This time I did not doubt; I just BELIEVED GOD. Joy such joy as I cannot describe, nor could you understand unless you had experienced it yourself—filled my heart. I wanted everybody to know that Jesus was my very own personal Savior.
More surely than ever I know that Jesus is coming; but still in love and tender mercy He is waiting for YOU to come to Him and trust Him also.