In some parts of the wild, desolate Northwest may be found a class of people—agricultural laborers or petty farmers—who are, many of them, far removed from any knowledge of the things of God. Indeed, "there is no fear of God before their eyes." Romans 3:1818There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:18).
It was in such a region as this that I was traveling, seeking as a medical missionary to bring help to afflicted bodies and to sin-sick souls. There was much to try the soul of one not accustomed to the rugged trails, and the unresponsive hearts of the widely scattered natives caused frequent discouragement. So it was that, engrossed in thoughts of my own weariness and the futility of my labor, I once lost my way. Coming to a lonely cottage, I knocked at the door to enquire. A feeble voice bade me enter, and I found a man sitting by the fire in a dreadful state of suffering. He let me examine him, and I found it was a surgical case. There was no chance of his recovery unless he submitted to a very painful and hazardous operation. When I suggested this, he firmly refused, saying he would rather die as he was.
"My friend," said I, "it is an awful thing to die in your sins."
To my astonishment he replied: "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."
I asked him how he, so far removed from all the ordinary means of grace, had been enabled to acquire such precious knowledge. He seemed delighted to meet one who knew the Lord, and said he had never before talked with a Christian. In his isolation the Lord Himself had opened his heart to receive Him, but no one of his family was interested in the Source of his comfort. When he told his wife and children what he had learned of God, they ridiculed him and called him crazy. He was until recently like most of those in this rough country, working on farms until illness overtook him. Then time began to hang heavily on his hands. A weekly newspaper came, the only link with the outside world. When that was read through, he was again at a loss. Then he thought of the old family Bible, covered with dust and cobwebs and out of his reach on a high shelf. It was used only to record births and deaths and had not been taken down for fully twenty years. With the thought that his death would be the next entry, he asked for the old Book.
The Bible opened at the Gospel of John and he began to read. When he came to the third chapter he found these words: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:33Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3). He began to think that there was more to "religion" than just being honest and hardworking, and he longed for someone who could explain this mystery.
Then, turning the pages aimlessly, he read: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." James 1:55If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5). He did ask, and he obtained from God that teaching of His Holy Spirit which led him to Jesus as his Savior, and taught him to rejoice amid all his sufferings in the happy prospect of eternal bliss.
When at last I had to leave, he grasped my hand, and with tears in his eyes said: "Farewell then, sir, till we meet again in heaven."
Encouraged and refreshed by this encounter with a dear child of God, I went on my way rejoicing in the sovereign grace that had known and met the need of this hungry heart.
Dear one out of Christ, you who have been blessed with Christian homes and Christian teaching, how have you valued your inestimable privileges? Surely many, like this lonely recipient of God's grace, will rise in judgment against those who hear the "Good News" preached and go on their way without a saving faith in the name of Jesus. I pray you, receive Him before it is too late.