WHEN JUST a young fellow Big Danny had joined the army. Tall and athletic, he was very fond of nearly every kind of sport, and before his conversion he had become a champion boxer. There were few sports in which he did not excel and he spared nothing to reach perfection.
One night a soldier pal invited him to a gospel meeting. At first Danny made a joke of it, but as he had nothing to do he went along "to pass the time." At the meeting he heard the story of Jesus and His love told out in simple and appealing language. It was practically the first time he had heard the good news, but there and then he took the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour.
The gospel, the Apostle Paul tells us, is "the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth" (Rom. 1:1616For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)). Big Danny proved that to be true in his experience. He became "a new creature in Christ Jesus." Instead of concentrating all his energies and time to excel in sport, he read his New Testament and at once began witnessing to the saving and keeping power of the Lord Jesus Christ. His companions loved and respected him, for his religion was no sham. They went with him to the gospel meetings. He loved to tell them how the Lord saved him and of the joy he had found in His salvation.
Another young soldier was writing home and telling of his experiences aboard a troop ship. Big Danny was also on the same ship. He said: "I went every day up on deck to hear Big Danny preach to the boys."
One day on a faraway battlefield, Big Danny went out to rescue a wounded comrade. He stepped on a concealed mine and was immediately killed. He was ready for the homecall; absent from the body, present with the Lord. But when killed on an errand of mercy even the most hardened of his mates shed a tear at his passing.
The writer of the letter too was also killed by a mine shortly after. Whether he was ready for the call I cannot say, but I know he heard the gospel many times.
I wonder if our young readers know Big Danny's Saviour? Are you ready for the homecall? If not you should come to Him now, for He saves and satisfies. And you who do know Him, do you witness for Him bravely as dear Danny did? "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me," the Lord told His disciples. Shine for Him then "at home, at school, at work or play." Then you shall know the fullness of joy that comes from knowing Christ as your Saviour.
Messages of the Love of God 6/15/1975