The effect of truth upon the heart is wonderfully varied; the application of truth by individuals to their own circumstances equally so. As nothing that God has created is beneath His notice, the least as well as the greatest are preserved by His care. So with the varied capacities of mankind: the lofty soaring intellect on the one hand, and the limited intelligence on the other, come in alike for His sympathy. Blessed that it is so! The very fact brings home to the heart confidence in the beneficence of the Deity. “God is mighty, and despiseth not any.”
A forcible illustration of this was brought before me, in a village situated in the very wilds of —. Desiring to speak of the love of God to mankind, I was indebted for the opportunity to the goodwill of the publican at whose house I had put up my horse. He gave me the use of a room adjoining the inn, and the people were duly informed that a stranger would speak to them. A goodly company were collected together. Among the hearers was a poor woman, on whom the discourse made the impression which I desire to relate.
I had spoken of the grace of God, and dwelt very fully on the fact of it. I brought forward such passages of scripture as might rivet the attention of the listeners; and amongst others, I alluded to the woman of Samaria (John 4). I presented, in contrast, the condescension of our Lord, the holy, harmless, undefiled One, in thus stooping to intercourse with the poor, degraded woman at the well of Sychar.
My hearer was impressed with what was said, and sent a messenger the next day, to invite me, if I had leisure, to pay her a visit before I left the village.
I did so, very gladly. I found her expecting me.
“Ah,” she said, on my speaking to her, “I ken your voice, but my sight is sore failing me; step in, and take a seat by the fire.”
I did so, making some casual remark, which opened the way for further intercourse.
“Heigh,” she said, “I is fain (glad) to see you. But you did set the goodness of God before us last night I Bless you, bairn, I could na’ sleep for the joy of it. And this morning, I could think of nothing else; and I have been praying for an hour in my room: for I felt sure, as He was so good to that poor thing by the well, I dare venture to ask anything of Him.”
“Well,” I said, perceiving the drift of her discourse, “you were right to confide in Him, and He is pleased when we do so. But what was your request?”
“Why, bairn,” she replied, “you see I’s getting old and cranky; my eyesight is failing fast; my back is nearly double with pain, and I cannot get about as I once did. And my husband is bad in the rheumatics, and it is hard for him to follow his work; and when he comes home he is sharp in his temper, and I am not able to put things to rights, as I did when I was younger. So, when I heard you talk last night, I thought, for sure, the Lord had sent you to let me see into it; and this morning I ventured to lay my case before Him; and I asked Him if He would be so kind as brighten up my eyesight a little, and straighten my back; I thought I could get on so much better like! Did I do right, sir?”
Anxiety was depicted on her countenance, whilst she awaited my answer.
“Surely,” I said, “the Lord is very pitiful, and full of compassion, and you did right to tell Him your cares; and He heard you, my good woman. But you should have put something else to it.”
“Heigh, sir, what is that?”
“Well,” I replied, “you should have left it to Himself to grant you your request, or otherwise, as He thought would be best. But you might have petitioned that, should it be His will to continue your trials, He would be graciously pleased to make you as happy to bear and suffer them as if He had removed them!”
“Yes! yes, you are right, sir! God bless you! I missed it there, I did, for sure: but when you are gone, I’ll see to putting that right, I will.”
I stayed a few minutes longer, and then left the village, not a little interested from this interview with my humble friend, and encouraged to go on with a work which reached the hearts of such hearers to practical purpose.
Since the occurrence referred to, I have heard that the good woman is gone to her rest. Bodily infirmities increased, and hastened her journey to an “inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away,” for which she gave every reason to believe the Lord had prepared her through faith in His blood which alone can give us entrance to heaven.
J. W.
~~~
There are idols other than stocks and stones or images and pictures to which men and women bow down in defiance of His solemn prohibition. Whatever takes the place of the Lord Jesus in the heart is an idol. We are converted (being born again) to live to Him here, to serve Him, to worship Him, to wait for Him, to spend eternity with Him as His companions in heavenly glory. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (I John 5:2121For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. (John 5:21).)