Dear friends,
You may have heard the expression “April showers bring May flowers” (followed by the question “but why does it have to rain for hours?). As God sends rain to help produce beautiful flowers and a wide array of crops, so He sends showers of blessings to His children.
In this month’s “Turning Points” magazine, Dr. David Jeremiah tells about the unusual circumstances that led to the conversion of Daniel Webster Whittle, who was wounded after he enlisted in the Illinois infantry during the Civil War. While recovering in the hospital, after having been taken prisoner, Whittle looked for something to read and found a New Testament. Jeremiah writes: “As he read its words, his heart was moved and he felt a need to accept Christ as his Savior. He wasn’t ready to do that, however, and he drifted into sleep.
A hospital orderly awakened him, saying another POW was dying and wanted someone to pray with him. When Whittle hesitated, the orderly said, ‘But I thought you were a Christian; I have seen you reading your Bible.’
Whittle later wrote, ‘I dropped on my knees and held the boy’s hand in mine. In a few broken words, I confessed my sins and asked Christ to forgive me. I believed right there that He did forgive me. I then prayed and pleaded God’s promises. When I arose from my knees, he was dead. A look of peace had come over his troubled face, and I cannot but believe that God who used him to bring me to the Savior used me to lead him to trust Christ’s precious blood and find pardon.” Daniel Whittle went on to become an evangelist and wrote a number of hymns, including “I Know Whom I Have Believed” and “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing.”
This morning I learned that my uncle died during the night. Last Sunday, a man who was a dear friend to many in our church, went to his eternal reward after a brief time in the hospital. Frank and Harold were both 92 years old and loved to serve others. Although we grieve their passing, we rejoice that they are in the presence of the Lord.
Thought for the weekend: “No matter what happens to you, no matter the depth of tragedy or pain you face, no matter how death stalks you and your loved ones, the Resurrection promises you a future of immeasurable good.” – Josh McDowell
In His grace,
Steve