Norman was ten and a half years old. He had a drunken father, and had lost his best earthly friend, for his mother had just died. A kind Christian had taken him to her home for a few days, until the funeral was over, and as he knew so little about the Lord Jesus Christ, she taught him that verse which you may be able to repeat from memory—
“He knew how wicked man had been,
And knew that God must punish sin, So out of pity Jesus said,
‘I’ll bear the punishment instead.’”
To make the meaning of this quite clear to little Norman’s mind, his friend taught him to place the word “whipping” in the place of punishment, which made it,
“I’ll bear the whipping instead.”
The following day at family prayers, Norman’s little voice was heard, thanking Jesus for having the whipping which he deserved.
His visit to that Christian home came to an end; and a few days after his return to his own desolate home, he wrote a letter in which he said,
“I’ve read my Bible, and learned my texts, and have many times thanked Jesus for having the whipping instead of me.”
How very happy must Norman be! for all are happy who know in their hearts that God laid upon Jesus their sins.
When they truly believe this, they love Jesus for dying for them.
ML 02/15/1942