IT WAS at a special prayer meeting just before the gospel services were to begin in the mission hall, and many earnest requests for blessing had gone up before the Lord. “There is one more,” I said. “Let us pray for any who have made up their minds not to come,” and so we did.
Before the service began we sang some stirring gospel hymns, during which a few working men came in. One man went across the hall and sat under the clock, while one of his companions came up to the platform and pointing to his friend, exclaimed: “There he is, sir, under the clock.”
All eyes were turned on the poor man sitting there, and I asked what was meant.
“Why, sir, God has answered our prayers,” was the answer. “Praise the Lord! He said he would not come.”
I was a little afraid lest the man would be offended at this publicity and go off, so we sang some more hymns. Then I told out as earnestly as I could the story of God’s love in giving His dear Son Jesus to die for a sinner like me. Afterward I invited all to stay for a short prayer meeting. Not one attempted to go.
I shall never forget that prayer meeting. One after another got up and prayed: “Lord, save that man under the clock! Lord, save that man under the clock! Do, Lord. Amen, Amen,” were the responses from all over the building. A dear fellow sitting next to the man, said, “Harry, we want you to be saved. God wants you to be saved. Jesus wants to save you; will you let Him?”
“I will,” replied the poor man, as the tears ran down his cheeks. Then on their knees they read John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) together, making it a very personal thing: “God so loved Harry that He gave His only begotten Son, that Harry by believing in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Our prayer meeting turned into a private meeting, and what joy there must have been in heaven! When Harry was asked how he could sit and listen to such prayers for his salvation, he said: “I felt as if I was stuck to the seat. I could not understand my mates taking such an interest in me, but, thank God, He took an interest in a poor working man like me.”
God is interested in you, dear reader. He is so anxious that you should be saved from eternal wrath that He has made a way of escape for you. Have you found the way? God says you are lost, but Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. God says that you are dead spiritually, but Jesus died that you might have everlasting life. God has declared that “The wages of sin is death,” but the gift of His Son has changed all for every one who believes. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 1:77The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (John 1:7).
God loves you. “Prove it,” shouted a man at an open air meeting in the park one day. “THAT HE GAVE!” replied the speaker. Surely no greater evidence is needed to prove God’s love than that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). Why not believe and live?
ML-03/13/1966