“How I wish we had something to read out here!” remarked a young soldier in Belgium one day when he was off duty.
He hadn’t addressed any one in particular but one of his buddies heard his remark, and drawing a small book from his pocket he said, “Here’s some reading for you, Jim. It was given to me the day we left home; it’s something good, I think, but I’ve never so much as looked at it; you can have it if you like.”
Jim took the little volume gladly, and settling down began to read. It was the Gospel by John. Beginning at the first verse of chapters 1 he read on and on, verse after verse, chapter after chapter. As he read the Spirit of God moved over the waters of his soul.
Again the word, “Let there be light,” had gone forth, and in that light he saw himself as a sinner. In the Lord Jesus Christ, the One of whom the Book that had grown strangely dear to him had so much to tell, he found just the Saviour he needed.
Love to the Lord, who had first loved him, filled his heart. He could not keep his treasure to himself; he must read his Book to others. Perhaps some among his comrades had never heard how “God so loved the world"—a wicked ungrateful world—that He sent His own Son to die and be the Saviour of all who believe.
Jim felt he did not know much, he might not be able to say much, but he could read the gospel to any who would listen. Night after night that gospel was read at the Front, and before long three young soldiers were on the Lord’s side, and were seeking daily grace to be true and loyal to Christ.
ML-01/07/1979