It was a sad day for the Moores when Ben left home. He was their only son, and a most obedient and faithful son he had been, but now he was leaving them, as a doctor, to serve in Africa.
The next best thing to having Ben. himself, was to have a letter from him, and he was faithful at writing letters. Each time the postman came up the walk, Mr. and Mrs. Moore would stop their work and wait in the hope that it was another letter from Ben.
One bright Saturday morning, Mr. Moore saw the postman turn up the walk, so he dropped his spade and hurried over to share the news with his wife. Quickly the envelope was opened and found to contain only half a sheet of paper. The mother’s hand trembled with fear! And sure enough, it was bad news. Ben was very seriously ill in a hospital, and could not write himself. Someone else sent the news, and it was surely had news. They believed it, and it filled them with sorrow. It just cast a dark cloud over their whole life, and they waited anxiously for further news. The next week there was no more news, and yet another week and still no letter.
Again it was a Saturday and Mr. Moore was working in the garden when he heard his wife shout, “A letter from Ben!” In a moment he was at her side, and to their joyful surprise, it was in Ben’s own writing, telling them of his recovery. Tears of joy ran down their cheeks as they read the message. They believed good news, just as they had believed the bad news before, but what a difference the believing made in their hearts.
A few weeks later a stranger stopped at the door and offered Mr. Moore a gospel tract. In a few moments, the stranger and the Moores were earnestly talking about how a sinner can be saved and know it.
“I can’t understand how anybody can be saved and know it,” said Mr. Moore.
“Just by believing God,” said the visitor. “If you received a letter saying that someone you loved was very sick, you would probably believe it, and feel very unhappy. And you would know it by believing it, is that right?”
“Yes, that’s right,” said Mr. Moore, with a glance at his wife’s face.
“And if a while later you received another letter telling you that your loved one was well again, would you believe it and rejoice in it?”
“Indeed we would, sir,” they both said together, as they wiped the tears from their eyes.
“Now God tells us that ‘All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.’ Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). He also tells us that ‘The soul that sinneth, it shall die.’ Ezek. 18:2020The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (Ezekiel 18:20). This is had news, but it is what God says and I believe it is true. But God goes on to tell us that ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)) and that ‘The blood of Jesus Christ His Son 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). I believe that too, because God says so, and so I know I am forgiven and that I am saved.”
“Thank God,” said Mr, Moore, “I believe it too!”
“And I,” added his wife, “my sins are gone.”
Thank God for the good news of the gospel. Have you believed it? Can you too say that you believe God’s message about your sinful condition and Eh message of forgiveness and salvation?
ML 05/13/1951