Beth was in her teens, attractive, frivolous and popular. Her Christian mother had often pleaded with the Lord for the salvation of her loved daughter.
Her mother’s prayers were not answered all at once, for Beth was not only unsaved, but she had no desire to be. She said her prayers at night out of respect for her mother, occasionally read her Bible, went to the services, and thought she had gone far enough.
But about this time, however, God began to work in the town where Beth lived, and some of her friends got saved. But she made fun of it all. Her sister was converted, and then her bosom friend found Christ; still the wayward young girl held out.
After the meeting she was persuaded to go inside the hall, and she squeezed into the far end of a seat. Again the preacher took for his text John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16), and every time he quoted it, Beth’s fingers went into her ears. Then after the meeting was over and most of the people had gone, seeing that they were determined to talk to her personally, she hopped over the seat and was outside in a moment.
Thus far she had it all her own way, but now the Lord was about to have His way. Beth went home to her room and made up her mind that she would not read her Bible or say her prayers that night. But after some thought she decided to say her prayers just to please her mother. While she was on her knees the thought forced itself upon her, “If I should die, what then? I must go to hell.” What a terrible solemn thought! But surely it would have been what she deserved. Had she not been making fun of God’s glorious gospel that very evening?
Beth went to bed but could not sleep. The Lord was speaking to her and she was obliged to listen. Finally she could stand it no longer, so getting up she opened her Bible and turned to the hitherto despised text, John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). She thought it over word by word—“God so loved the world; that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
For some time she meditated on that verse, and then the light shone in. What a blessed change from the night before.
Instead of sending her to hell, God’s desire was to have her in heaven with and like His beloved Son. Instead of seeking to judge her for her daring rebellion, His arms were outstretched to receive her to His heart of love. And this is God’s attitude toward every soul in this world.
“Though thy sins were red like crimson,
Deep in scarlet glow,
Jesus’ precious blood can make them,
White as snow.”
It was now 2 o’clock in the morning. Beth waited until 5 and then went out to her sister’s home to tell her the glad news. She was saved! What a welcome she got! She found that her friends had been praying for her all through the night.
She went the same day to her mother who saw her coming, and when she heard, “I’m saved, Mother,” she took her in her arms, exclaiming, “O! can it be true?”
Now, reader, what about you?
The Saviour calls! O! can it be,
That call has no sweet charm
for thee?
Wilt thou not turn and give
Him heed?
Wilt thou not think while He doth plead?
ML-03/09/1980