Seeking a Sign.

SOME time ago I was sent for to visit an elderly gentleman who was ill. He had lived for this world, for money-making, but now in his declining days the money fox which he had toiled so hard brought him no comfort. He was anxious about the future, for he felt he was without “hope and without God in the world.” (Eph. 2:1212That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12).) He knew the plan of salvation in theory, but did not know the Lord, whom to know is eternal life. (John 17:33And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3).)
After reading these blessed scriptures he said, “I see it all―it’s very clear―but I want to feel something here,” laying his hand upon his breast, “so that I could be sure God had pardoned my sins.”
I said, “You are seeking a sign, are you?” “Yes,” he replied, “I am wanting a sign from God that I am saved; then I could be happy.”
“You will never get a sign of your salvation until you are saved, until you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,” I said. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.’” (1 John 5:1010He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (1 John 5:10).)
This remark of mine brought out from the old gentleman the following: ― “My dear departed wife,” he said, “was a very happy Christian, but at one time in her life she had doubts of her salvation, and she remained in darkness for a long time. But one night she dreamed she was standing by the side of a lake, and she saw floating upon the surface of the water a girdle. Whilst she was gazing at it someone said to her, ‘Go, get the girdle, and put it on.’ She did so, and on looking at it she saw written upon it in letters of gold these words, ‘Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.’ (Eph. 1:44According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)) She awoke; it was but a dream. “But,” continued he, “from that time to the day of her death she never had a doubt about her salvation; and I want a sign like that.”
In reply to what I could only regard in him as a superstitious trust in a dream, I said, “You remind me very much of a king we read of in the word of God (2 Kings 20:1-111In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, 3I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 4And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 5Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. 6And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. 7And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 8And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day? 9And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? 10And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. 11And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. (2 Kings 20:1‑11)) who received a message from God by the lips of a prophet, saying. ‘Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.’ He at once believed it, and ‘turned his face to the wall.’ The same day, perhaps the same hour, the same prophet returned with a different message―one of life― ‘I will heal thee’ (vs. 5); but the king would not believe that without a sign. You have believed the message of death—you own you deserve eternal death―but will not believe the message of life without a sign. God has never promised to give you one. He gives us His word in which to trust.” After prayer I left. A few days after, I was sent for to see him again, as he was in great misery of soul. Whilst I was reading the word of God to him the doctor entered, and I left. I returned a few hours after, and to my surprise I found him bright and joyous.
“After you left this morning,” he said, “these words of the Lord Jesus came to my mind with power, ‘This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.’ (John 6:2929Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:29).) I believe, and I know I am saved.”
Now, dear reader, are you seeking Christ? Then look not for a sign, for that is unbelief. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar.” (1 John 5:1010He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (1 John 5:10).) You may think that looking within your own heart for feelings of some kind is a pious exercise, but it is after all but the fruit of self-righteousness, and is dishonoring to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. God testifies of His Son in His word, and you are rejecting His testimony. “He that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him.” (John 5:2323That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him. (John 5:23).) It is dishonoring the work of the Son, and despising the work of the Spirit, who has shown you your need, and now points you to the Lord Jesus Christ. Look away from self ― “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29))―and then you will be filled with peace and joy in believing. God grant this to you! J. H. J―G.