A YOUNG woman, the mother of a little family, lay dying of consumption. I do not know what she felt about those she had to leave, but her own soul was at rest. She not only faced the future without dread, but with joy she looked forward to being with the blessed Saviour, who had given His life for her; whose blood shed on the cross had atoned for all her sins, and made her fit to enter the presence of a holy God.
A very short time before her death, she said quietly to her mother, who was watching by her bedside, “Mother, I have seen the Lord, and He is coming again tomorrow at nine o’clock.”
When the promised hour had nearly arrived, she roused herself from a doze, and asked, “What time is it?”
“Twenty minutes to nine, dear,” replied the mother.
Twice again she asked, although without any anxiety. The third time the mother said regretfully, “Well, dear, it is ten minutes past nine.”
“Oh, mother, then the clock must be fast; He never disappoints no one!” Then after a moment’s pause, “Oh, there He is now! so beautiful! — now I’ve only to wait quietly till He comes again.”
She had not to wait long. A day or so more of suffering, and she was at rest in His presence, “to go no more out.”
Reader, this is a simple tale, but it is the embodiment of a great and blessed truth. The Lord Jesus Christ never disappointed any one. In the midst of this passing scene, in a world where change and decay is stamped upon all that surrounds us, what a rest to turn to the One, the only One, who never disappoints. Poor burdened soul, wearied with the heavy load of your sins, hearken to His gracious invitation, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)).
Are you afraid that the number and the magnitude of your sins will stand in the way of your acceptance? Then here is a word for you: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). Are you, hungry and thirsty soul, finding out that no human cistern can ever satisfy your craving and your need? Then turn to the One who says, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink” (John 7:3737In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7:37)). “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst” (John 6:3535And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)). For time and for eternity it is equally true.
“Happy they who trust in Jesus,
Sweet their portion is, and sure.”