A company of men were waiting in a public hall, and to while away the time they began to sing popular songs.
Among them was a Christian who would not join in the singing of his unsaved companions. Seeing this, one man leaned over and said: "Can't you sing?”
"Oh, yes," said our friend, "but only what mother used to teach me." A shout of laughter went round the room, and he was asked, "What is that?”
"Listen," he said. Then he sang the well-known words:
"How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.”
A look of surprise came on the faces of the men, but some of them joined in the singing. The Christian with a face full of joy showed his delight in the theme that peerless Name. Its sweetness was very real to him as again he sang:
"It makes the wounded spirit whole,
It calms the troubled breast;
'Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest.”
The comfort of that song seemed to enter the hearts of those men. Their voices increased in volume as they sang of the love of Him who "healeth the broken heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Psa. 147:33He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3).
Once more the glory and sweetness of that Name filled the room as the words rang out:
"Blest Name! the rock on which we build,
Our shield and hiding-place;
Our never-failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace.”
The leader of the singing, conscious that his own feet were on the Rock and that he was hidden in its cleft, was enjoying communion with his Lord, and praise and worship seemed to flow out as he continued to sing:
"Jesus! our Savior, Shepherd, Friend,
Thou Prophet, Priest and King;
Our Lord, our Life, our Way, our End,
Accept the praise we bring.”
The presence of that blessed Person seemed to him very real the Savior who died to save us, the Shepherd who sought and found us, the Friend who never leaves us, the Prophet who unfolds all the wonders of God's love, the Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us, the King of glory with whom His own shall dwell forever.
The next verse was sung more softly and very reverently:
"Weak is the effort of our heart,
And cold our warmest thought;
But when we see Thee as Thou art,
We'll praise Thee as we ought.”
This seemed almost too much for the men as they realized how fully the Christian entered into the words he sang. The last verse again rang out triumphantly:
"Till then we would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath;
And triumph in Thy blessed Name
Which quells the power of death.”
The song ended. There was a tense silence for some moments. Then one, a professional singer, rose and stretched out his hand to the Christian, saying: "Shake hands, sir. I am not religious, but I do admire a man who has the courage of his convictions.”
This gave our friend a good opportunity, and he told out the glad tidings of salvation.
One man present who was a Christian said to the singer afterward: "How did you do it? I could never have found the courage.”
"Oh, yes, you would," he replied. "The thought of the Lord Jesus—who He is and what He has done for us—gives one courage and 'drives away all fear.'”
Dear unsaved soul, in Christ alone can be found the comfort, strength, grace, mercy and peace that are essential to carry you safely through the trials of TIME. Receive Him as your Savior; let Him be the Lord of your life. Then with holy joy will you too be able to glorify Him before men and to "tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee." Mark 5:1919Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. (Mark 5:19).
Be of good cheer if your hearts are set on Christ! There is your stay, the anchor of your soul. If you see and feel your separation from God because your sins interpose between you and Him, believe in Christ and your sins will be removed from the sight of God. Then you will enjoy all the present and future glory and blessedness of those who have a part with Christ. J.N.D.