I was walking near my foxhole one day when I saw a young soldier - even younger than I - lying on the ground reading a book.
“What is that you are reading?” I asked.
“My Bible,” he answered.
“Oh,” I said, “I have read that Book! It never did me any good. Give it up, man, give it up.”
“Listen to what I am reading,” he answered quietly. ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ This is from John 14, and isn’t it wonderful? No, I could never give it up!”
I walked away, deeply impressed by his sincerity.
A few minutes later a bomb burst near the place I had just left - the spot where I had talked to the boy. Wondering if he was safe, I ran back as soon as the dust had cleared away. He lay there still - never to move again. But I saw, partly hidden by his jacket, his treasured Bible.
With a feeling of awe I picked it up and put it in my pocket. Surely a Book that could give such a look of joy as I had seen on his face a few minutes before was worthy of being read with deep respect. I felt sure that the young soldier had gone to that happy home that he had been reading about so short a time ago.
In a very different frame of mind than before, I read that dead boy’s Bible. Over and over I read that fourteenth chapter of John. As I read in it that Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” I began to understand the way of salvation. I found the same Saviour that the soldier had known and loved, and his well-worn Bible became my own constant companion and comfort.
Why do I write of this as the most wonderful event in my life? Because through this I was brought to believe on Jesus and in God’s wonderful Word - the Bible. It is His message to the soul. It has given me the instructions I need to prepare me for a better and happier place when I leave this world, and it gives me daily help, comfort and courage to face the many trials on the road to the Father’s house.