A YOUNG boy went to work in the big city. It was good that he was able to live with his aunt, who looked well after him; and so he settled down, and was getting on nicely when a strange thing happened.
Early one Sunday morning while it was yet dark, he thought he heard a knock on the bedroom door; and so in a sleepy kind of voice called out, “Come in,” but no one entered. He said to himself, “Was it a knock? or was I dreaming?” After a while he heard another knock, and so called cut, “Come in.” Again there was no reply; this time he was sure it was a knock. He lay awake a long while, when he heard a knock for the third time. He sprang up to a sitting position, and called, “Come in.” But no one entered. Sleep was just impossible, he was as wide awake as could be.
At breakfast time he asked his aunt if she had knocked at his door during the night. She said, “No.”
He felt somehow or other that morning that he should go to a service somewhere. Such things were not really his habit; but he went any way. The service opened in the usual way. In due time the text was read out in a very clear voice: “Behold I stand at the door and knock.” Rev. 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20). The young lad opened his eyes, his ears, his mouth in utter astonishment, as the thought flashed through his mind: “Was it God who was at my door?”
The preacher read on. “If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” The message that morning was of the love of God in giving His Son, who died upon the cross that sinners might be saved, and made clean through the precious blood of Christ.
“A knock,” said the preacher, “is to awaken. There are many today who are all alive to the pleasures and pursuits of the world, but they are asleep as to their sins and their hang to meet God.” “What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise! call upon thy God!” Jonah 1:66So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. (Jonah 1:6).
“If any man hear My voice.” A voice has a message; it is the means God uses to make known His love and His way of blessing, to those who are awake to their lost and helpless condition before God. The voice says, “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).
“And open the door.” This is the door of your heart, and the latch is on the inside. Have you opened the door of your heart to the Lord Jesus? Have you said something like this: “O Lord, I am a poor guilty sinner, and I now see that I cannot do anything to help myself; but Thou hast died for sinners, and I am willing to accept Thee as my Saviour; just take me as I am.” If in true repentance and faith you take this step, He will receive you and forgive you, He will keep and satisfy your heart. This is what is meant by the words of the preacher’s text: “I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20).
The young boy had been awakened first by the knock on the bedroom door, and then by the Spirit of God; using the Scripture we have quoted. He opened the door of his heart and received the Lord Jesus Christ. “Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
It is love that knocks, it is love that speaks, it is love that waits outside the door; willing and delighted to enter in.
We are sure the young boy would thank God over and over again for the gracious way in which he had been awakened; for the love that could meet his need. The same loving Saviour is seeking you, dear reader. Will you respond to His loving call today?
R.J.
ML-08/11/1963