AMONG the many unemployed men who had sought to find work, again and again, only to be disappointed, there was one who was well known to an aged Christian; known to him too, as one who not only had real physical wants but moral and physical needs also, although the latter were not realized.
They met one day in the streets of their busy town, and the elder asked the younger if he had been to the different employers he mentioned, to see if they could give him work.
The man despairingly replied that he had been everywhere, but could neither hear of, nor find, anything to do.
“I know of One whom you have not yet asked,”
Mr.― said.
“Who is that?” questioned the man eagerly.
“Will you come with me, and we will ask Him?”
“Yes, that I will,” was the emphatic reply. And so the two turned and walked up the streets until they came to the door of a building which was―as the man well knew―set apart for religious services.
“Who can we be going to see in here?” he thought to himself, but he still followed his aged guide into one of the rooms. And there the Christian turned to his companion and said, “You haven’t asked God to give you work, have you? Now you agreed to come with me and ask One who could do so to help you, and so we will just kneel down here and ask Him for what you want.”
Awed and impressed the man knelt, while the other implored God to look upon him in his need, and to graciously answer the requests for body and soul that were humbly laid before Him.
Two or three days afterward Sir J.― sent for this man and took him into his employ, and ever since has given him work and good wages.
This circumstance set him thinking seriously. Who was this One that could answer prayer in so remarkable a way? And who was he amongst the many hundreds out of work that such good fortune should befall him? His heart was touched, and it was not long before he was again upon his knees, this time with a broken and a contrite heart, which God will not despise (Psa. 51:1717The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17)).
It is some time ago now, and the aged Christian has been suddenly called away to rest from his labors, but this effect of his simple faith in God remains in our midst today, and when we consider it, we feel that every bit of faith in God is of some help.
Like a bright light flashing in a dark place, the glow of his fervent faith made its impression on the heart of the other, in all its heaven-born reality and simplicity.
Well did the old Christian know upon what a Rock his feet were standing, and well could he recommend his God, who had been true to His Word throughout all the ages.
His eye sweeps the vast universe of heavenly and earthly spaces, yet notes the flutter of a sparrow in its fall. He controls the myriads of mighty angel hosts, yet His mercy finds pleasure in hovering around the sons of men. So close comes His comfort, so near His help.
Only we must be real and true in heart, honest and sincere in soul. For the great God cannot be trifled with. He does not trifle with us; He does not ask us to hear what we cannot understand, nor trust that which can never come true.
He asks us to repent of our past neglect of Him, and to trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord. Then shall we find “all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God” (1 Cor. 1:2020Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Corinthians 1:20)). “O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusteth in Him” (Psa. 34:88O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (Psalm 34:8)).
L. J. M.