THU, a South Vietnamese soldier met a friend from another company on one of the battlefronts in South Viet Nam. Thu, who had recently become a Christian, immediately started telling his friend the thrilling story of how it all happened: Several months before, as Thu was trying to escape from a hail of bullets, he ran into a seemingly deserted hut by the side of the road. To his great surprise, there on the wall in front of him hung a text with these words: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.” Psalm 23:44Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4).
Thu remembered how a friend had tried to explain the gospel to him, but he had refused to listen.
Now, in his hour of peril, he realized how foolish he was to continue in his rebellious attitude towards the Lord Jesus Christ.
He prayed: “O God, I want to know Jesus Christ, that He has saved my soul.” Just then, he heard a voice calling him, and turning, he saw an elderly woman sitting by a small table. Concerned for her safety, he urged her to take shelter from the flying bullets. Then, prosing to return to talk to her, he dashed out the door.
When the firing ceased, Thu went back to the hut. It was empty, but the text had been taken down and was lying on the table. On a piece of paper beside the text were these words: “For the soldier who read this text, I hope you will believe on Jesus Christ.”
Thu never saw the woman again. He wanted to tell her that he had believed on Jesus Christ and that he now belonged to Him.
After Thu had told his story, he quoted Scripture texts he had memorized. Since he didn’t know any hymns, his friend proceeded to teach him, “The Name of Jesus Is So Sweet.”
The next morning, his friend was delighted to hear Thu sing the hymn alone, without help. From a heart overflowing with gratitude to God, Thu said, “What a blessing our singing together has been! It has wiped away all the scars of sorrow and sadness, and has kindled the fire of heavenly love that is burning in my soul.”
Two days later, the friends were separated. Shortly after this, Thu was killed in action. His friend says, “Each evening, as I gaze up into the heavens, I seem to hear Thu’s sweet voice singing:
“The name of Jesus is so sweet, I love its music to repeat.”
I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
And thus He bound me to Him.
And round my heart still closely twine
Those ties which naught can sever,
For I am His, and He is mine,
Forever and forever!
ML-08/13/1972