GOD had spoken to me in various ways during my childhood, but I did not know the joy of His great salvation until I was fourteen years of age.
My parents were Christians, and the Word of God was read, and prayer made daily in our home; but the gospel in all its fullness had not been made clear to me, therefore my thoughts were all centered in myself.
I knew I was a sinner, and daily I cried for forgiveness, and tried to do things to please God, Svc., but I was still a stranger to that peace which can only be enjoyed by those who know a living, loving Saviour in glory.
The burden of my sins seemed to get heavier, and my prayer was the language of the 51St Psalm, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
About this time I obtained a situation in a town near my home. It was a relief to my weary burdened heart when I entered my new bedroom, and saw on the walls some Scripture texts; and also to find that those with whom I lived were Christian people.
This was Thursday, and on the following Sunday one of my new friends recounted to me how the Lord had met her in her deep need, and saved her.
I listened almost breathlessly, for it came home as the very thing I was longing for―to know my sins forgiven and to have such rest and peace. But I was very reserved, therefore my friend did not know what passed through my mind. My cry to God now was to give me this peace and joy, and He soon answered that cry.
The following Wednesday my eyes fell on the words―
“Every minute expecting He’ll call me away,
And that keeps me bright all the livelong day.”
They were lines in a piece of poetry on the bedroom wall, entitled “The Man in the Glory.”
They pierced me like an arrow, for I knew I was not looking for the return of the Lord Jesus, neither was it the bright hope of my daily life.
I fell on my knees, and again cried to God to save me, and make me ready for the return of the Lord Jesus.
As I rose from my knees, I saw on a large sheet almanac the following words―
Oh, how I drank in those blessed words, for they were words of like straight from God to me, and I believed and rejoiced, knowing on the authority of His Word that I should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Many a time did I look up into the sky that afternoon, and wonder if the Lord Jesus would come that day; and I rejoiced that I was now ready for Him.
Dear reader, this is now thirteen years ago, and though I am still here, yet I can look forward to the moment when He will return to claim His own, knowing that I shall be caught up with them to meet Him in the air, and so be forever with Him.
You may be inclined to ask me if I have never doubted Him. Could I doubt such marvelous love and grace as that which shone out in the lowly Saviour when down in this world?
He came to do His Father’s will, anti to finish His Father’s work, and what did that involve? ―a shameful death on the cross.
But it was to make a way for poor sinners to be brought from the depths of sin into the joy of the love of God.
Perhaps you are praying, and striving to gain rest and peace by your own efforts. I trust you may be led to look away from yourself and anything you can do, and by faith see that the Lord Jesus has done every jot of the work, and is now seated in the bright glory of God.
“Cast your deadly doing down,
Down at Jesu’s feet;
Stand in Him, in Him alone,
Gloriously complete.”
God’s wondrous love in giving His only begotten Son has been shown to men, and it is your privilege, as a poor needy sinner, to accept tics way of salvation, and rejoice in His love.
May He give you to see your deep need, and in simple faith turn to Him, saying―
“Jesus, I do trust Thee,
Trust Thee with my soul;
Guilty, lost, and helpless,
Thou canst make me whole.”
R. E. P.