THE WIND BLOWETH WHERE IT LISTETH III

In the open spaces of Kuilenberg there lived a farmer who was greatly loved and respected among those who fear the Lord. One day, urged by the desire of his heart, he went to visit a friend who was a God fearing woman living in another part of the land and who was seriously ill. That day’s outing became a blessed day, because the Lord was in their midst. They could feel the tie of fellowship which they can be bound together as one with Christ as their head, and they as members of His body.

Then sometimes it can be considered a privilege to bring each other to the last resting place where they sometimes may receive a view beyond death into the land of promise, where no one shall say: “I am sick.” And then, how wonderful that the fellowship still remains, though the one is still in the church militant and the other in the church triumphant.

Now, Aart also had a little of this, and in parting, he promised that if the Lord should take her away, he would also be present at her funeral.

However, this friend improved somewhat again and several months passed by that they did not hear from each other. Then one day while Aart was busy in the field on an early summer morning, the Lord revealed unto Aart, with power in his soul, that his dear friend had exchanged time for eternity and would be buried that day. Scared so, that he dropped his spade, Aart said, “Lord, then I must go there, because I have promised her.”

With all possible haste, Aart went to his house and while he hurried himself to dress and get ready, because the train would soon leave, he was tried, when his wife said unto him that the Lord does not reveal things like that in such a manner. But faith does not reason nor doubt. Nothing could stop Aart from hastening on his journey so that he would not be too late to be present in the house of the deceased. But while with all possible haste he tried to reach the station of Kuilenberg and was very near, he saw before his eyes that the train started and left.

That was something for old Aart! He had made so much haste and now was too late! Alarmed in his mind, he sighed, “Lord, so much haste, and now still too late, and if I go with the next train, she will long have been buried.” In the meantime he arrived on the platform and sadly looked at the train. But look, what is going on there? The train which had just left, suddenly stood still not far from the station, although the signals indicated that it was safe. Aart hurried to the depot agent and said: “Come, agent, quick give me a ticket. I must go on that train, which is still standing there.” But the agent refused to give a ticket for a train that had already left, although it seemed strange to him that the train stood still while everything seemed to be in order.

Then the agent left the platform to have a look along the railway to see what was wrong (followed by Aart). Strange, everything was in order and yet, according to the information of the engineer, the train had suddenly stopped and whatever means or attempts they employed to get the train going again, it all seemed hopeless. The agent stood amazed and could not understand it. Now, however, it was Aart’s time and he said, “Ah, Sir, why must you have all those difficulties on the railway? Give me a ticket, then the train will go and otherwise, no matter how everything may get blocked up, that train will not leave from here if I am not on it.” The agent, as well as all the people who were in the train and hanging out of the windows, just couldn’t understand it, but looked at simple Aart with amazement, who by the power of faith gave such testimony. And now came the decisive moment. “Here then,” said the agent. “Here you have a ticket.” And see what a wonder, as soon as Aart stepped in the train, the train shot loose with a jerk and could again set itself in motion.

Aart was moved inwardly by what had happened, and being filled with the goodness of the Lord, wherewith He had turned unto him so obviously with His favor and even did wonders, Aart also had to testify of his King in the train. And being in the middle of the compartment he could not refrain from speaking with a loud voice about what a great King he possessed, Who testifies: “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” This was not a heavy task for Aart but a lovely work, because of the wonders which had just taken place and he spoke of the goodness of the Lord.

When Aart arrived at the place of his destination, in the home of the deceased, he found it as the Lord had spoken unto him. It was a pleasant day, for often when the Lord takes His people home He will modify the grief and sorrow of the survivors. Then His people are sometimes granted to experience and taste something of what it is, to be delivered one day of the body of sin and death, to remain eternally in His communion.

Then after the day was ended, all the people and also Aart went homeward, filled with the great mercies of God, wherewith He has compassion on His people.

Some years after this occurrence while Rev. Heikoop, a well known and beloved minister, sat in a train speaking with someone about the wonderful ways which the Lord sometimes holds with His people. Rev. Heikoop also told his fellow-traveler of this narrative. And, while they were talking with each other about these matters, another passenger in the same compartment became inwardly moved, even so agitated that it was quite visible. The Rev. Heikoop asked him whether this emotion had anything to do with what had been spoken about. And, oh the wonder of eternal mercy, then the stranger began to tell that hitherto he had lived according to the imagination of his own corrupt heart, without God. But also, how the Lord had used the simple words of old Aart to open his blind soul’s eyes for the eternal destruction toward which by nature he was journeying, and he would eternally have to perish under the righteous wrath of God, without His favor and communion. But also how the Lord had manifested His eternal mercies unto him and had given him a taste of His grace which is in Christ.

How the Lord moves heaven and earth to deliver one sinner. Go back with your thoughts ….

In the first place, Aart had to promise this woman to be present at her burial to show his last respect to her. Then, because God is a jealous God for His honor, the family who all knew Aart very well, forgot to send him notice of her death and of the day of her funeral. Because the Lord Himself was going to do that at such a moment, Aart with all his haste is too late for the train. The train must first leave and then come to a stand-still, so that Aart, being filled with the goodness of the Lord, compelled by the power of faith, shall speak of his King with great liberty, while he, a plain man, is standing in the midst of the public. Nevertheless, he, being full of the matter, could say with Elihu, “I will speak, that I may be refreshed.” Why? For the above mentioned stranger it was the hour of God’s good-pleasure, that he might be drawn out of darkness to God’s marvelous light. Do you see now what ways and means the Lord employs to the salvation of His favorities?

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