J. D. Smith one day said to a young fellow who looked very gloomy: “What’s the matter?”
“My sins!”
“What about your sins?”
“I shall be lost!”
“Can you read?”
“Of course.”
Opening his Bible at Isaiah 53, Smith asked him to read the following lines in verse six: We have turned every one to his own way. Then he added, “A drunkard has turned to his own way; an atheist has turned to his own way, and God says that all have turned to their own way.”
“Yes,” said the young man tearfully.
“Now read the next line.”
“Do you believe that?”
“Is it true? May I believe it?”
“You will be lost if you don’t.”
“I understand—I believe,” said the young man. And his face, so long and so gloomy, suddenly beamed.
“You know you are saved then?”
“Yes.”
“And happy?”
“Yes!”
“And at peace with God?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!”