HENRY was a young mason who, much to the sorrow of his young wife, spent his free time with godless companions who made fun of the Word of God.
One evening as he and his companions were passing a lecture hall, they saw posted on the billboard the announcement of a gospel address to be given by a visiting gentleman the following evening.
“Henry, here’s your chance to date with this man and contradict what he says,” said his friends. “You can argue well and are just the right one for it.”
Henry readily agreed and so they all decided to go together to the meeting the next evening, with the intention of interrupting the meeting and heckling the speaker.
On his way home, as he was passing the railway station, Henry met an old gentleman carrying two bags. Henry was kind and always ready to help so he offered to carry the old man’s bags. When they parted the aged traveler thanked Henry kindly and said in a friendly tone, “God is seeking you, dear friend.” These words made Henry uncomfortable especially in view of his plan to mock at God and His servant the next evening.
However, the following evening Henry, having steeled his conscience, went off with his friends to the meeting ready to play his part. But what a shock he got when he found that the speaker that evening was none other than the old gentlemen whose bags he had carried the night before.
As he sat there in the midst of his friends, Henry heard the sweet story of the Good Shepherd told with such warmth and love, the Shepherd who was seeking the lost sheep, and about the God of love who gave His Son so that “whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Henry’s friends whispered that now was the time for him to stand up and contradict the speaker, but he sat as if rooted to the seat and did not move when his companions nudged him and urged him to go ahead. The blessed Spirit of God was at work in his heart and conscience. It became clear to him that he was the lost sheep whom the Good Shepherd was seeking, and he remembered the words of the old evangelist, “God is seeking you, dear friend.”
All Henry’s bravado had disappeared that night. There at that gospel meeting, melted by love divine, he received the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.
When he got home he said to his wife, “Sue, I am born again and with God’s help I intend to begin a new life.”
Sue was so taken by surprise but she said, “Good! If you really mean to lead a changed life and give up your bad companions, I’ll go and hear the gospel too.” The next evening found them both sitting in the gospel meeting. The story of the love of God who was seeking lost sinners entered her heart also and she too was converted to the Lord Jesus. Now they are both following the Good Shepherd, and God has given them two dear children whom they are seeking to bring up for the Lord.
Such is the power of the Word; for “the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Rom. 1:1616For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16). Has it proved its power in your heart, dear reader? If not, bow to it now. Do not hold out against it. God is seeking you. He loves you, He wants to save and make you happy. Then your life too will be completely changed, for “if any man be in Christ he is a new [creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
ML-02/22/1976