LOCK HENG was a young up-to-date Chinese in Malaya. He was a member of a flying club before World War II, and he had left the religion of his ancestors; he was a Christian. When Singapore fell to the Japanese, Lock Heng and other native airmen were sent back to their homes. Later on, however, they were arrested by the Japanese and put in prison.
Soon after, Lock Heng discovered that one of his Chinese friends was also in a cell nearby. They discovered that at certain times they could tap close to the keyhole of the door separating their cells, and using the Morse code, they could hold short conversations together.
His friend Ching suggested they have a daily chat when it seemed safe. One day Ching tapped that he was feeling sad and didn’t want to “talk.” Lock Heng replied, “If you are sad, pray to God.”
“I don’t know what you mean how can I pray in this place? To whom shall I pray?”
“Pray to the God of heaven in the name of Jesus. Christ,” said Heng. “Just tell Him what you feel. He will understand.”
“But I do not know how. Please teach Me to pray,” said Ching.
So the young Christian taught his friend a simple prayer. When no guard was near, and tapping it out with his fingers by the keyhole of that cell door, he told him little by little the only way of salvation.
So they “talked” to each other day after day, and then one day Ching accepted Christ. The light of heaven shone into his soul — he had found the Saviour “through the keyhole.”
When one opens his heart to the Lord Jesus, He comes to dwell there. And so in spite of the prison wall and sad circumstances, these two dear young Christian fellows had many happy hours during the weeks and months that followed.
After some months, in answer to many prayers, their release came. The day before they were set free, a native preacher had held a gospel service and spoke from the text, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” Josh. 3:55And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you. (Joshua 3:5).
The parents of the young men claimed this promise and, true enough, the next day their sons were restored to them from the horrors of a Japanese prison. Ching’s wife and family soon followed him in receiving Christ into their hearts and lives, as Saviour and Lord.
How wonderfully does the gospel spread! No need of eloquence, but oftentimes by means hitherto unheard of, is the message of truth proclaimed. The channels vary, but the truth never alters: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3).
ML-05/17/1970