Many years ago the following happened in... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour your heart out before him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:8.

Many years ago the following happened in Chung King, China: Mr Tian was the proprietor of a fashionable café that was full of patrons from morning to evening and was a profitable concern. One day, however, a doctor diagnosed tuberculosis in that successful businessman.

Tuberculosis - the word shocked Mr Tian like a death sentence. Fear held his soul in its claws. For him night had fallen.

He was admitted to hospital. The doctor stressed the need for absolute rest. If only his thoughts would also come to rest! Thry revolved round a single subject: tuberculosis, painting gloomy pictures before his eyes. "You are going to die," his fears whispered inside him. "There's nothing you can do to change it: All that you have acquired will pass into other hands, and for you decline, night and the horror of death lie ahead."

Fear sat day and night at the Chinese man's bedside. "In spite of the restful circumstances I became more and more ill and would have died of fright," he said later. In His distress he called for his cousin, who had once urged him to become a Christian.

When she visited him, he told her, "I have tuberculosis, and am terribly afraid. I dread eternal night." His cousin hesitated for a while. Would the invalid understand her properly? Finally she answered calmly but resolutely; "It's not so important whether you get better or not. What is decisive is that you put your life in God's hand and trust Him; what He does is good and right."

(to be concluded tomorrow)

Today's reading: Job 40:6-24 · Acts 19:13-22