A young man had taken a room, that he might there devote himself to the study of the law. Suddenly he fell ill, and a young doctor, with whom he was intimate, watched over him with the most unwearied love and patience during the time the illness lasted. But, alas! both of them were utter strangers to God and His grace.
As the young student's illness increased in severity, the doctor ordered his bed to be moved as far as possible from the window, that the strong light might not affect the sufferer. So the bed was moved to the other end of the room and placed close to the partition which separated the next room from his, which was occupied by the owner of the house. The bed had not been moved long when the sufferer heard a low voice proceeding from the adjoining room. He listened; and first softly, then in louder tones, he heard
"Today thou livest yet,
Today turn thee to God;
For ere tomorrow comes,
Thou mayest be with the dead."
These words (with others too) he heard repeated over and over again, but these were riveted upon his mind and touched his conscience. When the doctor came next day to see him, he took his pulse and then inquired how he felt. All he got was a piercing look and those words he had heard the day before
"Today thou livest yet," etc.
"What is the matter with you?" the puzzled doctor asked. "What has come over you? You are quite changed. Were it not that the fever has abated and your pulse quieter I should say your mind was wandering."
The only answer he got from the young man was:
"Today thou livest yet,
Today turn thee to God;
For ere tomorrow comes,
Thou mayest be with the dead."
The doctor left him unwillingly, puzzled at his strange manner, without being able to account for it. The words followed him also, and followed him wherever he went.
On the next day when he visited his friend he found him better and calmer, but in real distress of soul searching the Bible to find out the way of salvation. God had spoken to them both, first to the young student, then to the young doctor through him, which ended in the conversion of them both. How strange and wonderful are God's ways, how great is His grace toward poor lost sinners!
On the day the young student was moved to the other side of the room, it so happened that the landlord's son, not having learned his lesson at school, had been put into the corner to learn the verses of an old hymn, by his father, and from there the student heard those words Which came as a voice from God to his soul.
Dear reader, have you ever pondered this solemn truth
"Today thou livest yet"?
You may try to shut your eyes to the solemn fact that some day you will have to die, but there it stands, for it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment, In view of that appointment, which, keep you must, we beseech you
"Today turn thee to God."
"But" you say, "there is plenty of time."
My reader, do not be so rash as to risk your soul on an excuse so foolish.
"Behold, NOW, is the day of salvation".
Sudden death is not an unusual thing, and you may be its next victim,
"For ere tomorrow comes,
Thou mayest be with the dead."
Messages of God’s Love 7/8/1934