Part 1 (1/2)
Riches of Grace.
by E. E. Byrum.
Preface
To be right with G.o.d and to have a constant knowledge of his approval is the desire of every Christian. Many people deep in sin and others honest at heart have a longing to live a righteous life, but they have always found obstacles in their pathway and have been defeated in every attempt.
In the preparation of this volume the author has aimed to refer to such obstacles and hindrances in the lives of others, so that any one pa.s.sing through a trial or laboring under a heavy burden or oppression may, by reading these narratives, learn how to find relief.
A lady who was victor over many trials and impositions of the enemy, and who knew that I had been pa.s.sing through some severe ordeals, said to me: ”It does me good, and is a source of great encouragement, even to know that you and others who are supposed to be strong in faith have trials and severe testings occasionally.” It is hoped that the trials and the victories mentioned herein will be not only a source of encouragement to others but such an inspiration to their faith that they will be enabled to understand and do the will of G.o.d.
This book is a compilation of experiences from people in various parts of the world who have written by special request of the author. The fact that they were written by people in China, India, Australia, Egypt, West Indies, and other countries, is evidence that although the environment and circ.u.mstances may differ, yet G.o.d is everywhere the same to fulfil the promises given in his Word, in all countries and among the people of every nation. Although the names and addresses are not given, the experiences are genuine, and the author will take pleasure in furnis.h.i.+ng information concerning any of them.
The ”Experience of a Hundred Years Ago,” given on page 245 was taken from an old book that in my early childhood days I often saw my mother read. The book was old and worn long before I was born, and I have only a few pages as a relic of early remembrances. It was ent.i.tled ”The Riches of Grace.”
No doubt the t.i.tle of this old book, together with a knowledge of the comfort and consolation that my mother received from reading the many Christian experiences it contained, contributed to my inspiration in presenting these pages for the benefit of others.
I hereby acknowledge my indebtedness and heartfelt thanks to those who have so kindly contributed to this compilation of experiences, and I trust that every burdened soul that reads these experiences may take courage and may henceforth abound in the riches of the grace of G.o.d.
Yours for a victorious life,
E. E. BYRUM.
Anderson, Indiana, January 16, 1918.
RICHES OF GRACE
The Joy and Blessings of a Christian Life
EXPERIENCE NUMBER 1
The pathway of life has its shadows and suns.h.i.+ne, its pleasures and sorrows; and in the Christian life, I am convinced, many people live in the shadow more than in the suns.h.i.+ne, when they could very well have it otherwise.
When I was about thirteen years of age, I yielded myself to the Lord and made a decision to spend my life in his service. Since that time, like Christian in Bunyan's ”Pilgrim's Progress,” I have met with many and varied experiences; but one beautiful encouraging thought has been that, no matter how hard my trials, how near my strength was gone, nor how little my courage lacked of failing, just at that time, when I was the most helpless, G.o.d was always present to help either by his Spirit or by sending one of his servants to encourage and strengthen me.
I have, indeed, found the Christian life to be a warfare. Every individual who enlists in the service of the Lord will have the forces of evil to battle against, but G.o.d has made provision whereby every child of G.o.d can be an overcomer in every conflict. The one who has a firm decision to be true at any cost will receive such power and help that Satan can not prevent him from serving the Lord. The enemy may try to hinder by causing trials, difficulties, and perplexities, and at times the way may seem dark, with no apparent hope of day; but our G.o.d, who is mighty, will turn all these seeming hindrances into real blessings and make them stepping-stones to glory.
In my youthful days I felt a deep desire to work for G.o.d and longed to fill some place in life where I could feel that I not only was living a life of salvation, but was really engaged in my Master's service. As I knelt in earnest prayer and consecrated myself fully to the Lord for him to direct me as seemed best, a dark sorrow filled my heart; for Satan whispered: ”You are too young. You can not stand against the powers of evil that all young people must meet. Your covenant with the Lord is too great for you to keep.” But with tears I cried unto the Lord to know if these suggestions were true. At that moment the Lord gave me the a.s.surance that if I decided to serve him he would teach me how to do so.
He would give me grace in every time of need.
Some time after this I became very ill and knew unless G.o.d came to my aid I should soon have to leave this world. As I thought of my condition, a joy filled my soul that I might soon be with the Lord.
With this joy came also a sadness, as I realized that I had done nothing in the vineyard of the Lord. It seemed that I could not bear to go empty-handed. I prayed G.o.d to spare my life that I might work for him.