IT WAS the custom of a certain family to meet all together during the holiday season. One year the reunion took place in the house of the eldest son, Henry, who at the time was an infidel.
When the whole family was seated at the table, the old gray-haired father, who was a godly man, returned thanks to God for the meal they were about to enjoy. When he got through Henry angrily exclaimed:
"You have no right to give God thanks. I bought this food, every bit of it; and I will not have you thanking God for what I bought and paid for. There is no God. I don't believe in any God at all.
"Look here! If there is a God I'll give Him a chance. I will give Him five minutes to cut me down."
He took out his watch and put it on the table. The rest of the family sat aghast. They knew what God could do, but would He?
One minute went by, . . . two . . . three . . . four and five, and the defier of God was not cut down.
"There," said he, "where is your God? He has had His chance, and lost it."
"Henry," said the old man, "when you put the watch on the table, I began to pray to the Lord for you. When you were a child I gave you to God, and I have never taken you back. I believe God will yet save you, my boy."
Soon after the gathering broke up, the old father died. Henry went his own way. He knew better than his father. He started to frequent the taverns. After fifteen years he was seen walking down the street in shabby clothes. In his pockets he had his last fifty cents.
"What shall I do with it?" he thought. "I will have two glasses of whiskey, and carry home a bottle of beer."
He turned to go to the nearest bar, but when he was quite near it the recollection of the family scene struck him. An arrow of conviction from heaven entered his soul.
"O, God, have mercy upon me, and answer my dear old father's prayer!" he exclaimed.
Instead of going into the tavern he went back to his home and his wife. He got down on his knees before God and cried for mercy. God answered his dear old father's prayers, and saved him. The change in his life proved the reality of his conversion.
That was grace! That is like God.
Oh, you say, I expected he would be cut down. That is man's way. But God did not cut him down. He spared him, and then saved him. So grace wins its proudest victories over its bitterest enemies.
"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . . . When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son." Rom. 5:8,108But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10).
Messages of the Love of God 6/29/1975