Corrie ten Boom, Her Story
12. Debbie
A FRIEND OF mine told me about her sister Debbie. She was very ill and needed some comfort. "I know," my friend said, "that you cannot go all the way to Missouri to visit her, and she cannot come to you. But what about having a talk over the telephone?" That was a good idea. Isn't it wonderful to live in a world where you can talk with each other over the telephone?
It was a good conversation. She told me her difficulties and her worries. "Corrie," she said, "I'm very ill, and some people think I must die. Iam afraid of death. Can you help me?"
"Yes, surely, but listen. We haven't much time to talk over the telephone, so let us just ask each other some questions and give answers. Do you know the Lord Jesus? I don't ask if you know about Him, but do you know Him?"
"T'm not sure. I have not read much in the Bible. I did not go to church and was really not greatly interested in spiritual things, so I feel that I do not really know
Jesus."
"Then first of all you must come to Him, for He is the One who can comfort and help you. He said: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28... him that cometh to-me J will in no wise cast out.
John 6:37 "And when you come to Him He is willing to come so close that He will even come into your heart.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in....
Revelation 3:20 "Do you understand that you must open the door? Then He will come in and you can tell Him everything. He understands far more than I—or any other human being—can. It is true that when you come into contact with the Lord Jesus, you will see your sins, but look at the cross then. You must simply say, 'Lord Jesus, forgive me. I thank You that You died on the cross for my sins.' The Bible says that then He will cast your sins into the depths of the sea, forgiven and forgotten. And I believe that He adds a sign that reads NO FISHING ALLOWED! What about that?"
"T will think about it." "No, listen! It is all right to think about it, but we have so little time now. Why not do it?"
"Do what?" "Ask Jesus to come into your heart!"
"Ts it so simple?" "Yes, so simple!" Then I prayed with her. Oh, it is such a joy that we can always pray with one another over the telephone—the line to the Lord is never busy. He is always ready to listen. "Lord, Debbie would like to ask You to come in, and I thank You, Lord, that You are willing. Will You send away all the doubt, all the 'yes, buts' and the 'if onlies'? I thank You, Lord, that You love Debbie. Hallelujah! Amen!
"Now, Debbie, the way is open. Say, 'Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.'" And she did. I heard her say, "Lord Jesus, come into my heart. I know that lam not good enough, but, oh, Lord, how I need You! Thank You, Jesus, that You came into my heart. I will tell You all the sins I can remember and I thank You that You have borne them on the cross. Oh, Lord Jesus, You love me, thank You. And I love
You. Amen." : Now, wasn't that a wonderful prayer? I was so happy and I know the Lord was happy. I could imagine Him standing there with His arms wide open. I said also, "Debbie, now tell Him all your fears and problems and be sure that when you feel very ill, the Lord Jesus is with you. He will not let you down for one moment."
"Are you sure?" "Yes, for I know the Lord. I have known Him for a long time and He never gives in. And you two will win, Jesus and you. Bye, Debbie. Until we meet, not in Missouri, but there—in heaven."
"Thank you, Corrie."
I was so happy about that telephone call. But I could do something more for her, and that was to pray! And I did: "Lord, make her very conscious of Your JESUS IS VICTOR 355) presence. And, Lord, surround her with Your angels and let her room be a room where she is together with You and the angels."
Some time afterward, I met her sister again and she said, "Oh, Corrie, very shortly after you had spoken with Debbie, she became more ill and I went to her to be with her until the end. She repeated all you had said over the telephone. 'I did it,' Debbie told me. 'I didn't understand everything but I know that He came, for since that time there has been such peace and joy and there is no fear at all. I know that I have to die soon, but do you know that I long to go to be with the Lord in heaven?'"
What a blessed telephone talk that was!
Jesus did it,
The Bible tells it,
I believe it. That settles it!
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28