A BUSINESSMAN who held a very responsible position in a large industrial firm was helping his son-in-law build a house. He needed a little help so he asked a Christian contractor to meet him at the site of the new home. Their business was brief and pleasant, but the man'? conduct and speech led the contractor to believe he too was a child of God.
Afterward the contractor asked him if he knew the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. The man then invited him into his home where he met his wife, his daughter and son-in-law. All were bright, happy Christians. As they visited together, he told this story.
The new house was started in mid-summer and closed in late in the Fall for fear the winter frost might damage the cellar wall, as the dirt was not shoveled in against the wall. Then too he wanted to lay tile along the bottom of the trench to keep the water out.
It was Saturday morning and he was down in the trench with his high boots on and working in mud almost to his knees. As far as he knew he was all alone.
Suddenly he thought he heard a child’s sweet voice saying, “Say, Mister, do you know that Jesus loves you?” He looked up but could see no one. Then he heard the sweet voice again, “Say, Mister, do you know that Jesus died for you?” This time it seemed as if he froze and could not look up.
He tried to go on with his work, when again he heard that sweet little voice, “Say, Mister, do you know that Jesus died for us?” This time he felt weak and couldn’t move. He held on to the shovel to steady himself, as he leaned against the wall, the sweat running down his face. He felt that he was in the presence of God. God loved him and was pointing him, a sinner, to His beloved Son, the only Saviour. There in the bottom of the trench he opened his heart and received Christ as his Saviour. While standing in the deep mud he passed from death unto life.
When he regained enough strength he climbed out of the ditch and there stood a beautiful golden-haired little girl, about four years old. She smiled up at him so sweetly and he asked her where she lived. She pointed to a little white house down the street. So taking her by the hand he went to meet her mother and told her what had happened. Her mother said, “I don’t know where she got those words from except she has been going to a little Sunday school with another little friend.”
“He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:” Psa. 40:2,32He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:2‑3)
ML-06/16/1974