VARIOUS are the ways by which the wandering soul is brought to Christ. Proud Saul of Tarsus, struck down by the light above the brightness of the sun at high noon-tide, is instantaneously converted into the slave and prisoner of the Lord. Thrice happy, willing bondage The rude fisherman bending over his net-mending, the grasping publican sitting at the receipt of custom, hear the words, "Follow me," and the whole current of their lives is changed.
Lydia's heart opened to the word of God, as the fallow ground drinks in the spring shower; while to awaken the soul-slumbers of the Philippian jailer the earth is shaken. The case we are about to relate strikingly exhibits the grace of God in dealing with the soul. The subject of our remarks was employed as an under-shepherd, by a godless, careless man, amid the Cheviot Hills,— the border-range between England and Scotland. The young man was just entering into the business of life, and he threw himself with all his soul into the problem of how to get rich quickly. Do not think a Cheviot shepherd lad has no such temptations. True, he has not the opportunity of gambling on the Stock Exchange, and the thousand and one temptations of busy city-life. Still he had his temptations, and they were, no doubt, as glittering, attractive, and decoying as anybody's to him.
The keen eye of his master noticed the incipient stages of cupidity and avarice. Somehow or other the old man had a great knowledge of the letter of Scripture, and, thinking to give his lad a word of advice, repeated to him that verse in Hos. 4:1717Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. (Hosea 4:17), “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.”
The word spoken in reference to earthly matters proved to be the arrow of conviction concerning eternal realities.
What would the use of his money be to him if God left him alone? What about eternity without God? How could he meet the judgment to come in his own strength? No doubt such questions as these would rise up in the lad's heart and demand an answer.
What a blessed thing it is when the soul is awakened to a sense of sin and judgment to come, and to thoroughly overhaul itself in the presence of God This exercise led to his conversion to God.
He found the Word of God revealed a present, personal Savior. He discovered that God was for him—not against him. He learned that instead of God leaving him alone, He was ready to be a Father to him.
There surely is no need in this land of Bibles, to prove the truth of the foregoing paragraph.
Read the four wondrous gospels, and these truths lie upon the surface. The whole matter seems to be concentrated and gloriously summed up in the truth of Rom. 3:2626To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26):—" That he (God) might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Light and love, mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, seem all to be perfectly met and eternally satisfied in God's new character, as expressed in the words "just, and the justifier.”
Dear reader, this is an intensely solemn thought, this being left alone by God. Think of Christ—the holy spotless Lamb of God—shrouded in thick darkness at high noon-tide, uttering that awful cry of deepest anguish, "My God, my God, why past thou forsaken me!" High-priest and ruler; soldiers and mob, Jew and Gentile, led on by Satan—all raising their cry of hatred against the most wondrous Benefactor the world ever saw. But above all this, and far beyond all this, God forsaking Him, and striking that blow which light demanded and love sustained. What stupendous solitude, what an awful forsaking!
Then He cries that victor-shout, "It is finished!" and “Death by dying slew,” and the way for God to be just, and to justify the vilest sinner, is opened up. All praise to His thrice-blessed name throughout all eternity. Amen.
Beloved reader, close in at once with God's offers of mercy. His love follows you this moment; but if once the boundary line of time is passed by you, unsaved, unconverted, then a holy God must punish you for eternity. No gladsome strains of gospel love, no peace-giving messages of redemption, are heard in the dismal depths of hell.
Now is the acceptable year of the Lord, now is deliverance to the captives preached (see Luke 4:15-49).
Before the shadows of death cross your path, before the Lord comes for His own, and shuts the door of salvation for you forever, come to Christ. Let nothing hinder you, and then you will be able to exclaim like Ephraim, "What have I to do with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir-tree: from me is thy fruit found” (Hos. 14:88Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. (Hosea 14:8)). A. J. P.