ANNA Q—had been lingering with consumption many days between life and death, and though having the gospel put before her many times, she still had no peace, no consciousness of her sins having been forgiven. She had the gospel put before her but alas, not only the gospel, for she was taught to add to the atoning work of Jesus her faith and prayers, —as though Christ had done His part, and now she must do hers, such as praying earnestly and much, and exercising her faith, —and it was not surprising that she knew not peace. Weak in body, and anxious of soul, she lingered day after day, with occasionally a visitor telling her to pray, and that Jesus was ever ready and willing to bless her, if she would only exercise her faith and come to Him aright. Though there is a measure of truth in this, yet it was far from being the thing which she needed; and so, when she was asked if my visit would be agreeable to her, she said, “What is the use? Mr. comes to see me almost daily, and he does not help me." However, being persuaded by her mother and aunt to see me, I called on her.
Tremblingly I entered the chamber of death, feeling that God had a message for me to deliver to that never-dying soul. She was very weak, and scarcely able to move her head. Looking to the Lord, as I went in, I quietly asked, "Are you resting by faith upon the finished work of Christ upon the cross?” She looked at me, half startled by the question, but slowly shook her head, saying, “I can't pray.”
“God is not asking you to pray," I replied. “Listen, —'Now then we are ambassadors for Christ; as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God.' God, by the mouth of His servant the Apostle Paul, 'is praying to you, 'Be ye reconciled.' Now, won't you be reconciled? He will say nothing to you about your trespasses, for ' God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.'”
“Oh, I haven't faith enough.”
“God is not asking you for a certain amount of faith. Do you believe that God is able to save you?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, I have proof in the Lord's personal ministry here upon this earth, that He is not seeking for any particular amount of faith. Look at that poor leper (Matt. 8), an outcast from society, afflicted with a disease that was worse than death, slowly, but surely, dragging him down to the gates of hell. He believed that Jesus was able to cleanse him, but he did not believe He was willing. Said he, 'Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.' Mark how dishonoring to the Lord was that unbelieving ‘if.’ But what was the immediate answer of the Lord Jesus? I will, be thou clean.' It was not his great faith that cured him, though there was faith too, but it was his need that brought him to Christ. Our gracious Lord saw his need, and that was enough to draw forth a stream of blessing to the poor unbelieving leper. Your prayers and your great faith He does not ask, only that you bring your need to Him; and as with the leper, so with you, the blessing is immediate.”
With this her countenance lighted up, a look of infinite relief followed, and with a sigh she sank back upon her pillow as though so restful. I then sang with joy over this one soul brought out of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son.
A mind at "perfect peace" with God—
Oh, what a word is this!
A sinner reconciled through blood—
This, this indeed is peace.
So near, so very near to God,
Nearer I cannot be,
For in the person of His Son
I am as near as He.
So dear, so very dear to God,
Dearer I cannot be,
The love wherewith He loves His Son,
Such is His love to me.
She departed to be with the Lord very shortly afterward, resting by faith upon the finished work of Christ upon the cross. Reader, cannot you thus rest in Him?