Mr. Richard lived in Ireland a good many years ago, and like many of his friends he lived what is called a “good life,” never thinking of his need of a Saviour.
One night he was persuaded to go to a gospel meeting, and strange to say what impressed him most of all was not the preaching, but the singing. He heard a young man sing that beautiful hymn, “It is well with my soul.” The second verse particularly went home to his heart and conscience:
“My sins—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought—
My sins—not in part but the whole—
Were nailed to His cross, and I bear them no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”
His sins then began to trouble him, for he knew his sins were not gone. At last he cried to the Lord to give him the knowledge of salvation, like that young man whom he had heard singing. The Lord brought a short verse of only three words home to his soul as he walked along the road. It was that verse with the wonderful words of the Lord Jesus on the cross, “It is finished.” There and then the Spirit of God revealed to him that the Lord Jesus had finished the work of redemption—had borne ALL the judgment for ALL his sins upon the cross of Calvary, and from that moment he was saved and knew it. His heart was filled with rejoicing and now he wanted to tell others.
Perhaps you are beginning to wonder where the horse comes into our story, so I must tell you. It was like this. Mr. Richard had an old horse named Buckshot. He had this strange name because he was so quick and jumpy. The very next morning after Mr. Richard was saved, he walked into the stable and put his arm around old Buckshot and said to him, “Buckshot, you can never know the love of God in forgiving sinners, but I know it. And now I am going to try to show it to you!”
This may sound strange to you, but it is true. Old Buckshot soon found out that his master had learned the love of God, for he treated him so differently from that day on.
Yes, when one is really saved, “all things become new,” and others can see the difference. Dear Mr. Richard is still living today and he is still roicing in the knowledge of his Lord and Saviour. He loves to tell others of the wonderful grace of God which brings salvation, and then teaches us how to live in this present world.
ML 10/03/1954