A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers     

John 6:37, “Him that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out.” During the revival in Ireland in 1853, an aged convert at Achile, a poor man, one hundred and four years old, walked ten miles to make a public profession of his faith, at a confirmation held by the Protestant Bishop of Tuam. The bishop had a remarkable conversation with this aged man who said, “I lived one hundred and three years and six months in total darkness, knowing nothing of the way to heaven, blind, and ignorant.”  “And now,” said the bishop, “what is your hope?” “My hope, sir, is in the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world.  Oh, to think that I have gone on one hundred and three years and six months, caring not for my soul, and then that this blessed truth should have burst upon me!  How can I praise Him enough for His wondrous love towards such a poor, old sinner?” Perhaps you think too much sand has filtered through the hourglass of your life. Perhaps you feel you have wasted away days of grace and you are beyond the reach of God’s mercies. Listen friend, it’s never too late. Jesus reminds us, in our Scripture lesson today, that no one is refused who comes to the Lord. His arms are open wide. In Revelation 22:17, He reminds us, “Whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely.” Imagine, if you can, what was going through the mind of the 104-year-old Irish man during his 10 mile journey to meet with the preacher. No doubt he felt unworthy, and perhaps wondered, after all the years that had passed if he would be accepted by the Lord. His arrival at the confirmation service brought him the joy that can only come from a soul who knows of the embrace of God’s unfailing grace. The elderly gentleman’s only regret was that he should have made the commitment sooner. You can experience the same joy today. Come to Him. He will accept you the way you are and then change you into the way you should be, enabling you to live in His perfect peace, with each new day.