Years ago a Christian woman lay dying. Her husband had already died, and the sick woman was anxious for her soon-to-be-orphaned little girl. Realizing that her little daughter would have to be given over to the guardianship of her grandfather, who was an atheist, she prayed earnestly that God would protect her. Calling the little girl to her, she begged her to promise that, for her sake, she would read at least one chapter of the Bible to herself every day—and the child promised.
Soon the little girl was taken to the home of her grandfather. Faithful to her promise, she read each day portions of God’s Word and, consequently, was found by him one day reading to herself in the garden. He asked what book it was, and she replied that it was the Bible.
At once he began to laugh at it, declaring that it was useless to read such a book. “For,” said he, “what good is it?”
She answered that she read it that she might learn about God.
“God!” he exclaimed; “there is no God!”
For a moment she seemed petrified with fright and shock, but recovering herself, she cried, “Oh, Grandfather, then you’re a fool! You’re a fool! You’re a fool!”
Hurrying away, he tried to forget his granddaughter’s distress. It was impossible. Wherever he went, night and day, every waking moment seemed to bring to his mind, You are a fool! The Bible says so!
Before long the one-time atheist became miserable and unhappy and broken down before God. In repentance he admitted his sinfulness, and received the Son of God as his Saviour.
“ The fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom.”
“Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”