Weekly Devotion - #34

Read: Isaiah 53

HE TOOK MY PLACE

A story reprinted from a tract. The captain lay in his cabin in mid-ocean, death staring him in the face. Captain Coutts sent for his first mate, and said: "Williams, get down on your knees and pray for me. I've been very wicked, as you know, and expect I'll go this time." "I am not a praying man, captain, so I can't pray." "Well, then bring me a Bible and read me a bit, for my time is about run out." "I have no Bible, either, Captain." The ship was searched for a man who could pray or who had a Bible but none could be found until one of the sailors told the captain he had seen a book that looked like the Bible in the hands of the cook, a young fellow named Willie Platt. "Send at once," said Captain Coutts. The sailor hurried off to find the boy and brought him to the captain's cabin. "Have you a Bible, my boy?" "Yes, captain." "Then sit down, and find something in it that will help me, for I am afraid I am going to die."

The boy did not know where to read, but he remembered that his mother had him read the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah just before he left home for that voyage. Willie turned to that blessed chapter that so fully sets forth the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ in dying for poor sinners such as John Coutts, and commenced to read. When Willie got to the fifth verse, "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed" The captain, realizing that he was having his last chance of being saved, said: "Stop, my lad! that sounds like it; read it again." Once more the boy read over the blessed words. "Aye, my lad, that's good, that's it, sure."

Then Willie said: "Captain, when I was reading that verse at home, mother made me put my name in it. May I put your name in now just where mother told me?" "Certainly, Sonny; put my name in just where your mother told you, and read it again." "My boy, put your captain's name in the verse and read it again." Then the lad slowly read the verses: "He was wounded for John Coutts' transgressions, He was bruised for John Coutts' iniquities; the chastisement of John Coutts' peace was upon Him, and with His stripes John Coutts is healed." When the boy had finished, the captain smiled and said, "That will do, my lad; you may go now."

Then the captain lay back on his pillow and repeated over and over again those precious words of Isaiah 53:5, putting in his own name each time, and as he did so, the joy of heaven filled his soul. He was saved! Dear reader, do you know anything about this salvation? What God did for John Coutts He waits to do for you. Will you let Him? Pray and insert your name in the verses and find peace with God. [TGC]

THOT: Jesus had no sin of his own. He died for your sin!

TODAY: Receive Jesus as your Savior. Then, go tell others about Jesus.

This lesson is from  30 Heart Touching Devotions available from SWM.

You have permission to copy for personal and church use.