“I’m glad you have come today; Alice was wishing so much to see you,” and as the mother spoke she placed a chair for me close to the bedside of the sick girl I had come to see.
“And why are you wishing so much to see me today, Alice?” I asked as I took her hand.
“I’m afraid maybe I’m not trusting right.”
“Who is it you are trusting?”
“Jesus.”
“Well, He does not tell you to trust Him right, but only to trust Him. To trust is just to leave all to Him, and nothing to yourself.”
“Yes, but—the evil thoughts still come,” she replied.
“Fears and doubts can come when we just look into ourselves, instead of looking straight off to Jesus. But you must remember that the blood of Jesus Christ . . . 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).)
A peaceful look came into the girl’s face, and she lay quietly for a little while. Then the shadows came back again.
“What is the matter now, dear?” I asked gently.
“When I pray to Him, I cannot get just the right words that I would like,” she said.
“But the Lord Jesus does not tell you to pray with ‘right’ words, Alice. He says, All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:2222And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:22).) In fact, He speaks to God for you! Listen to what is written: He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25).) You know already what He has done for you on the cross, but think what He is doing for you now in the glory. He is living to make intercession for you! What else do you need?”
Peace and joy filled her heart. She saw now that nothing depended on her, but only on Christ. We thanked Him together for His matchless love and grace.
You will never find comfort or rest of heart in looking at yourself, or in looking around at others, but what rest and peace and joy you will find in looking to Jesus! Why think of yourself at all? Look away from yourself and all that you are to the One who suffered, bled and died for you here and now lives in the glory above.
“Look unto Me, and be ye saved . . .
for I am God, and there is none else.”