Joan and Emily were often together, and shared all their joys and sorrows. They were not only neighbors, but also first cousins. Both were very fond of singing and they loved to sing together, especially on Sundays.
But I am sorry to say that they paid no attention to the words of the hymns, but just enjoyed the melody.
Then came a great change. Emily accepted they Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour. This made her happier than ever and turned her conversation again and again toward the Saviour who had won her heart. But it seemed to make Joan a little uncomfortable, especially as they sang together. Joan felt an ache in her heart as she saw her cousin’s deep joy, and knew that she was not saved.
“Oh, here is a lovely hymn,” said Emily, “Let’s sing it together.”
“It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
With great delight Emily started up, but Joan’s voice was silent. After listening for two or three lines, the tears began to flow down Joan’s cheeks.
“Emily, I can’t sing it in truth, and I won’t sing a lie to God.”
“Come, Joan, let us tell God about it.”
Together they knelt in silence for a few minutes and then Emily quietly thanked God for saving her soul through the precious blood of Jesus. Again there was a silence, broken at last by Joan’s trembling voice as she confessed herself a lost sinner before God, and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her own Saviour.
They rose from their knees and embraced with tears of joy.
“Shall we sing our hymn together now?”
“Yes, by all means,” said Joan.
Together their voices rose in happy thanksgiving.
“It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
May I ask you, dear reader, is it well with your soul? Have those crimson sins been washed away by the precious blood of Jesus Christ?
ML 11/22/1953