The Power of the Word of God

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
 
A scientist who disdained the Word of God and believed in neither heaven nor hell, was constantly pricked in his conscience by his Christian housekeeper. Continually reading and quoting the Bible and praying and singing hymns as she busied herself about her work, she irritated and annoyed him greatly.
One day the scientist tried to tell her of man's tremendous intellect and ingenuity. In his enthusiasm he even claimed that by these every human need could be satisfied.
The simple-hearted woman pondered how to answer his boastful claims, and cried to the Lord for wisdom. At last a scripture came to her mind that she felt sure the Lord had given her for him. Reverently she quoted it: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5.
Not long after this, the scientist was reading the biography of a famous infidel. It told the story of how this man, while making sport of the faith of a Christian friend, was struck by a brick and lost his reason. A woman who witnessed the scene had cried out: "Poor man! 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.' " As the scientist read the story, he recalled these very words which had been quoted by his own housekeeper.
One evening, restless and troubled in spirit, the scientist went to visit a friend. The door being open, he entered the house but could find no one at home. On a table lay a well-worn Bible. He opened it, and his eye fell upon the passage in Proverbs: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
Startled, he said to himself: "Three times these same words have come before me. Is it a voice from God? Yes, it must be, for 'God speaketh once, yea twice, and man perceiveth it not.' This third time I must answer Him. Oh God, it is Thy voice speaking to me, a sinner. I confess my dreadful error and sin. Oh, most righteous and holy God, forgive this fool who has so long defied Thee."
Earnestly he pleaded for mercy, and the Lord graciously pardoned him. What joy in the presence of the angels over one sinner that repents!
"If Thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that thou mayest be feared." Psalm 130:3, 4.
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:7.