An aged man and his wife accustomed to go about the town with a hand cart selling their wares. Some had noticed that the old man had not been coming so regularly, as he was, feeble, and his wife would go alone.
And you must now visit with me it family who used to deal, as far as possible, with the owners of that little cart. They too have noticed that the old man is missing, and on inquiry find that his age now prevents him from leaving his bed. The head of this particular household was a Christian man, and although time was valuable to him in his own home on account of his business and family ties, he resolved, with God’s guidance, to call on the elderly man and see if he knew that all his sins were forgiven. Alas! he did not seem to have much knowledge of God’s remedy for sin, and his health permitted him to converse but little.
One Sunday afternoon the man returned to his house from one of these visits and found his children had all been supplied with a sheet Almanac by their Sunday school teacher. Who can tell what good these may do? A happy thought struck him. Why could not one of these be hung-up alongside the old man’s bed?
“Boys,” said the father, “who will give me their sheet Almanac?” and immediately there was a chorus of “I will’s.”
An Almanac with a text in large bold type was soon selected, and the following Sunday, with the old man’s consent, it was carefully nailed on the wall by the side of his bed. Monday morning arrived and that text, “To him that worketh not, but believeth in Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” Rom. 4:55But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5)), had been read over many times. Whenever the old man seemed to turn that way, he somehow could not help seeing, the verse staring him in the face.
“Well, I never,” says he; “I cannot understand that— ‘To him that worketh not.’
Yes, I am sure that is a mistake; the printer evidently put in the word ‘not.’ And in this way does he reason with himself.
The days of the week go by, and the text has made a big impression on the man’s mind. By the time his Sunday visitor arrives, he is all excitement, and almost before he enters the door the visitor is greeted with the old man’s query as to whether the text is not printed wrongly. The visitor wisely suggests that they had better refer to the Word of God direct, and make sure about the matter. There they read that God gives righteousness to us if we take Him at His word. We cannot do anything to gain it: it is a free gift. The Lord Jesus completed all the work at Calvary, and said, “It is finished.”
The old man drank in the meaning of the words and believed God there and then, the peace of God filling his soul for he few weeks he was left here.
Will you not come to Him who has done so much for you? Do not put it off till you are older; you may never have another chance.
ML 12/03/1939