I had returned home rather late and was trying to relax after a wearying day. My rest was soon disturbed by a messenger who pleaded, "Come, please come! Come see a dying woman—dying and still unsaved. She is very unhappy, and is calling on God for help. We have tried to find someone who could give her comfort. Tonight we thought of you. Will you come?"
"Most gladly," said I. "I do trust that she may receive the truth as it is in Jesus, and find rest and comfort in Him."
As I entered her room, I looked to the Lord to give me the right words for her. The sick one immediately beckoned me near her, saying, "I'm so glad you've come. Surely God has sent you."
"What is your trouble"? I asked. "Are you afraid to die"?
"Yes," she answered. "I am not fit for His presence. Oh, this fearful agony!"
"What agony?" I asked. "Your poor body?"
"No, no," she cried. "The pain of this poor body is nothing. It's my poor lost soul. Help me if you can; oh, do help me."
"Dear Mrs. Gray," I replied, "you must look above and beyond me. I am only a weak creature like yourself; but I can tell you of the One who is able to save you to the uttermost—the Lord Jesus Christ. He says in Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28): 'Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.' Does not this meet your need?"
"I do want rest," she answered; "but what you say doesn't help me. Please tell me more."
"Have you heard the story of the brazen serpent"? I asked. She nodded assent, and I continued: "Those Israelites bitten by the serpents were dying fast, but God told Moses that whosoever looked upon the uplifted serpent of brass would live. And so it was.
"You, dear lady, are like the bitten Israelite-sin has destroyed you, but God has provided a way whereby you may be saved. His Son Jesus was lifted up on Calvary's cross. There He died for sinners-for you and me. The work of redemption is done and salvation is free. All that we need do is LOOK, and LIVE."
"Look and live," she repeated. A ray of light passed over her sad face.
"Yes," I said, "this is God's way of saving the lost. Are you willing to be saved His way?"
"What else can I do?" she replied. "I am helpless, sinful, and ready to perish."
"Then listen to God's Word, Mrs. Gray. 'And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.' " John 3:14, 1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15).
I waited a few moments before I spoke again. Then I asked her if she trusted the Lord Jesus, whose blood paid sin's heavy debt. Then came another pause.
"Bless God!" at length came from her lips. "I can trust Him! Oh, the power of those little words!" "What words"? I asked.
" 'Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,' " she replied.
"And so you can fully trust Him, and believe that you will not perish, and that you have eternal life?" I inquired.
"Yes, bless His name," she responded with fervor. "I do believe all that. Those precious words have opened my eyes."
"Then you are not afraid to die?"
"Afraid!" she replied, her face lighting up as she spoke. "Oh, no. I'm very, very happy! Now I'm quite ready to go. His is a complete salvation. I know I shall go to be with Christ. I shall soon see Him!"
Together we thanked God for His wondrous grace in giving Jesus to die for lost sinners. As I rose to go, she grasped my hand and said, "How can I thank you enough, for coming to tell me such blessed news?"
"Don't thank me," said I; "thank the dear Lord. The work was His alone—
" 'Alone He bore the cross,
Alone its grief sustained;
His was the shame and loss,
And He the victory gained;
The mighty work was all His own,
Though we shall share His glorious throne.'"