Harry was a young American boy who, in this land of Bibles and religious liberties, had the privilege of attending Sunday School. There he learned the story of God’s love to man, made known in the gift of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus, who came into the world to save sinners.
But though Harry knew he was a sinner and needed a Saviour, yet he never decided for Christ. As he grew older he turned away from God, went into the world, and became hardened against the gospel.
Then the Korean War came and Harry was drafted. In the army he became more hardened than ever. In the solemn scenes of war, there face to face with death, God spoke to him again and again, but it did not awaken him to his need of salvation. “God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.” Job 33:1414For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. (Job 33:14). Many of his comrades were killed in action, but still Harry seemed deaf to the pleading of the voice of the Spirit, calling him to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then Harry’s turn came. He was wounded and taken prisoner by the Communists. For many days he lay in a North Korean Army hospital and there he had lots of time to reflect. Still his close call with death and the mercy of God to him didn’t seem to soften his heart.
Then a young doctor in that Communist hospital spoke to Harry and asked him many questions. To his great surprise he found that the young Korean was a Christian, and he urged Harry to read his Bible. The doctor had to be very careful and not say too much, lest he be found out. But it was the beginning of a work of grace in Harry’s heart. He thought to himself, “Here am I brought up in a Christian land, went to Sunday School and read the Bible, yet I am not a Christian. And now who should be urging me to become one but this young faithful disciple of Christ up here in the Communist army.”
For the first time in his life Harry was humbled before God, ashamed to think he had despised and rejected for so long the Saviour who loved Him, who only sought his good and blessing, and had followed him all the way to North Korea to bring him that eternal salvation He had died to secure. Those claims of love were too much for Harry, and He surrendered willingly, happily and thankfully to that blessed and only Saviour.
And if you, like Harry, dear reader, have not yet surrendered to Him who is “the chiefest among ten thousand,” “the altogether lovely One,” may you seek grace to do so without delay. He is so worthy! and your need of Him is so great!
ML-08/07/1977