AN old lady, whom I visited frequently, would often appear restless and uneasy. She seemed much exercised, and it was evident that the Lord was working in her soul. I asked her if she was saved.
She said, “No; it has been my desire for a long time to know that.”
“Do you not know,” I asked, “of One who also has a great desire for your salvation, and who has been waiting for it a much longer time than you have? He left His glory that you might know your sins were forgiven, and He would willingly receive you if you will trust yourself to Him.”
“I would give anything,” she answered, “to feel as happy as you.”
“Stay,” I replied; “God wants you to accept, not to give; receive salvation as you would receive a gift from a dear friend.”
“Well, I’ll think about it; but something seems to tell me I am too old to serve the Lord.”
“God says, ‘Whosoever will may come. and take the water of life freely,’ I answered; “‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Is that not enough? Can you not believe?”
“I can believe,” replied the old lady, “but I cannot feel I am saved.”
“If you want to be saved, you must be saved in God’s way, and not in your own. Lay aside your feelings, and take God at His word, and peace will follow. ‘Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.’”
“Sometimes,” she said, “I think I am saved, and at other times I am so miserable that I begin to despair.”
“Give up all your own efforts to save yourself,” I answered; “come simply trusting in Jesus, and I can assure you, on the authority of God’s word, He will never cast you away. ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’”
After three weeks I saw her again, and she told me how happy she was then that she could fully rest and trust in the Lord.
ML 07/21/1918