I was asked to visit a poor man who was suffering with asthma.
I found him in bed, propped up with pillows, and breathing with much difficulty. My inquiries as to his health were answered in short, broken sentences; but there was a bright response to the name of the Lord Jesus, and, although he could say very little, I was satisfied that he was a Christian.
Some days after, upon calling again, I found that he had rallied a little, and this time he was able to tell me how he had been brought to the Lord only a few weeks before.
A large Testament was lying open near him, and laying his hand on it, he said, “I was lying here alone one afternoon, reading, and I turned to the fourteenth chapter of John. When I came to the words, go to prepare a place for you,’ I thought, ‘How wonderful that He should have prepared a place for me – such a wretch as I am! Can it be possible that there is really a place prepared for me? and the very thought of such love made me weep. My wife came into the room and found me crying. She wondered what was the matter with me; but all I could say was, ‘To think that He should have prepared a place for me!’ It seemed so wonderful, almost too good to be true!”
“But it is true,” I said, as he paused for a moment for want of breath; “and how sweet it is that we not only know that the place is prepared, but we know the One who has done it. He said, ‘I go to prepare a place for you;’ and He is coming back again soon – very soon now – to fetch all His own dear people home, to be forever with Himself in the glory.”
It was my privilege to see him many times after this, and as he gradually grew weaker, it was very touching to hear him using the little strength he had in praising and blessing God. The last afternoon of his life I was with him for a few minutes.
“You are nearly home now,” I said, “it will only be a very little while before you are forever with the Lord.”
“Yes,” he answered, speaking slowly, “the place is prepared, and I shall soon be there.”
Early the next morning he fell asleep: absent from the body, present with the Lord.
Dear reader, how is it with you? Do you know that a place is prepared for you? If you were on your deathbed, could you say, “The place is prepared, and I shall soon be there?” Do not trifle with the solemn question of your sours, salvation. If you have not come to Jesus, come now – just as you are – and He will receive you; for He says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”