One That I Know.

 
FIFTEEN years ago a young lad, who had a good opportunity for enjoying the pleasures of sin, felt lonely and sad, and very unhappy indeed, for he had discovered that none of these things could satisfy, or give him lasting joy.
It all seemed a mockery. Go where he would, have what he would, it left him still longing for something more. He had no true and lasting happiness, no peace, no real joy. In his heart he yearned for something beyond the fleeting things here, but scarcely knew what.
At this time he began to discover that he was a lost sinner needing a Saviour; not that he had then learned the awful depravity and deceitfulness of his heart, for of this he knew but little at this time, and it was long indeed before he really learned God’s verdict of the heart (Jer. 17:9, 109The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9‑10)). Nevertheless he was so unhappy, for his heart did yearn for an object which would satisfy the desire which was there; and God, who is rich in mercy, turned his gaze upward, to behold in the glory a living Man, a Saviour whom He had exalted there to His right hand, and oh! it was such a view of Him, that he felt, “Here is the One to suit me, both as to the desire of my heart and my need as a sinner.”
These precious words were then brought before him: “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:35, 3635The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:35‑36)).
For some time he had read and admired the perfection and glory and grace of the Saviour’s ways, as recorded by the evangelists, but now he beheld the One upon whom the heavens had opened, and who had called forth the expression of the Father’s joy and delight when walking through this sin-stained world, and who, by the grace of God, tasted death for everything. (Heb. 2). He had now learned something of the mercy and grace of God in giving His Son for a guilty world, and leading him to the One who, by His death, had met all the claims of eternal justice, and his need as a sinner, the decision He enabled him to make was this, “Christ for me.”
He now began to learn something of the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” that, though He was rich, He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich.
Think, dear reader, saved or unsaved, of the magnitude of grace and depth of love that led Jesus from such heights of glory to such depths of woe, for such guilty rebels as you and I! He came to seek and to save the lost, and, like the good Samaritan, “as He journeyed,” He came where we were — where death and judgment were. He bore sin’s due, suffering the Just for the unjust, to bring us to God. So unlike man! Man will stoop down, and help to pull another out of a pit, but this is not the way of the One whom believers know and trust as their Saviour. He went down Himself into the pit, where there was no standing (Psa. 69). He goes beneath and lifts the poor helpless one up, and this Shepherd, having found the lost sheep, layeth it on His shoulders rejoicing. Such is His grace!
Oh, that I could persuade you, weary, heavy-laden one, to come to Him, and He would give you rest! High in glory, He still is that same blessed Jesus who receiveth sinners. Burdened, anxious one, is He not worthy of your trust? Believe on Him and trust His finished work, who though rich, became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich.
Fifteen years ago I was that lonely lad, whose eyes God in mercy opened to see Jesus exalted a Prince and a Saviour. I then thought Him worthy of my trust, and trusted Him alone for my eternal security. Often since then I have had to mourn over my unfaithfulness, but never have I regretted the decision arrived at then. I bear unfeigned testimony to His faithful, constant love. Learned myself surely I have through folly and failure, and proved His precious forbearing love and patience through it all. But, believe me, the truest estimate I have ever had of self is that which I have formed when consciously in His holy presence. My heart has been captivated and filled with holy wonder and joy as I beheld the beauties and perfections of the Lord. I once saw no beauty in Him, but now through the mercy of God, as one called to share in the Father’s thoughts, I, according to my measure, can say He is the altogether lovely and chief among ten thousands!
I have here, dear reader, told you a little of the One that I know, but oh! the joy of knowing that soon I, with all His loved ones, will joy and delight throughout eternity in telling Him that He is worthy! Where will the reader be in that day?
R. G.