The Simple Power of the Word
By Editor
II. Victory Out of Defeat
THE morning dawned in a cold, dense, drizzling fog, which the soul in darkness thought to be a fitting symbol of his own condition. The early morning meeting was good, as souls praised God for His love and goodness. Other meetings followed — all were uplifting. We came again to the revival service in the afternoon. Other souls yielded and found deliverance, but the man was still embanked, enshrouded, in a gloom deeper than the fog. Yet he sought God. He came forward to what was truly to him an "anxious seat," came in darkness, and went as he came. An inquirers’ after meeting was held; and he came to that, doubting. Soul after soul found peace, but not he. Said the preacher, "Brother A, have you confessed your sins?" "Do you not believe that God forgives you?" "No, He has not forgiven me; but I do not blame Him. He is all right. I am too great a sinner. He can not forgive me." "But does He not say, 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness'?" "Yes," said the despairing man, "He says that." "But you say," pressed the preacher, "that you have confessed your sins, yet you will not believe that God has forgiven." "Yes, I believe God, but I do not feel that He has forgiven me. My sins are too great." "But does God say that you must feel that you are forgiven, and you are?" "No; He says believe. I do believe God, but it does not meet my condition." Said the almost despairing preacher, "You are a sinner, are you not?" "You believe that Christ died for sinners to save them from sin?" "You know how strong God makes it, 'Tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; tho they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.' The apostle declares that it 'is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.' You could say no more than that. But chief of sinners, He died to save you." "No more 'buts,' dear friend. Face the matter as it is. You do not believe God. You are charging Him with unfaithfulness, injustice, untruthfulness." In consternation the man looked up. "I? no, I could not do that; I am to blame." "Then," said the preacher, "why do you blame God? You say you are a sinner. He says that He came to save sinners — even to the uttermost. He says, confess your sins, and He will forgive; you say you have confessed. His Word declares that 'He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Now, brother, either you have lied yourself, and have not confessed your sins —" "But I have," he broke in vehemently. "Then you charge God with unfaithfulness and injustice," persisted the preacher. "More than this," he continued, "you charge God with falsehood; for 'he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar.' What are you going to do; depend on your feeling and give the lie to God, or believe God and let Him sweep away the darkness?" He never saw it in that light before. The preacher paused, prayed, and waited. Suddenly the man raised his head, a new light in his eyes, and declared, "I believe, I believe God." The transformation of his countenance was like the change in nature when the black, 'lowering gloom-cloud, charged with thunder, breaks and dissipates, and the genial sun shines strong and bright from the clear blue; only it came immediately. The simple Word had pierced the heart, dissipated the darkness, and set free the imprisoned soul, whose heart and lips praised God. Sinner, dear soul in despair, the Master is willing, waiting, to help you.