The hymn goes:
“Almost persuaded,” now to believe.
” Almost persuaded,” Christ to receive.
As I remembered these words, I wondered: What will it take to help someone become fully persuaded and take that leap of faith? How many right now are fighting the urge to just give up and let God have His way? What is it that holds us back?
Seems now some soul to say,
“Go Spirit, Go thy way.
Some more convenient day,
on Thee I’ll call.”
I felt the Spirit urge me a few times before I finally chose to answer His invitation and give in to my desire to know Him. Ask yourself, what does this world offer that sounds better than being saved? Who else could offer such things as eternal life, forgiveness of all sin and a chance to start over? Will there be another chance? What if this is the last offer He gives?
“Almost persuaded,” come, come today;
“Almost persuaded,” turn, not away
Jesus invites you here. Angels are lingering near.
Prayers rise from hearts so dear…
Oh, wanderer come!
I could almost feel His hand when the Holy Spirit urged me to step out and accept Him as my Lord and Savior. Angels are lingering near…people who love you are praying…Don’t let the rest of the song come true for you:
“Almost persuaded,” harvest is past;
“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last.
“Almost” cannot avail;
“Almost” is but to fail!
Sad, sad that bitter wail?
“Almost,” but lost!
I chose to take His offer, and that step of faith…and have not felt one ounce of regret! He has kept every promise found in His Word and through Him I began to truly live. I knew next to nothing about Jesus at the time I was saved, but He gave me a desire to learn and get to know Him better. Words I had heard before took on meaning. I could open my Bible and read with understanding verses that before meant nothing.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things become new.
I’m praying today for those who are almost persuaded, but not yet ready to fully believe. May you feel the presence of God and know that His invitation still stands. He personally says to you in Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Psalm 96:1 O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.
The new song I hope we all can sing someday is:
Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of Glory divine!
