Nails in a Sure Place
Dan Snaddon spent most of World War II as a prisoner of war doing forced labor in Japanese work camps. Throughout his ordeal he was sustained by a powerful faith in Jesus Christ that had been an integral part of his life since childhood. He grew up in the small village of Tillicoultry, Scotland, where godly parents and a warm church profoundly influenced his life. He described the process of spiritual awakening in simple terms:
My conversion was unspectacular. There were no emotional experiences, no blinding lights, but looking back over my life one can see God’s hand leading in definite steps toward conversion. I believe that my Sunday School teachers played a big part… Gospel texts were greatly used in gently leading me to Christ; they were as nails in a sure place.198
A day eventually came when someone in his church that he knew and respected asked him, “What will you do with Jesus, Dan? ” His friend quoted John 3:16 to him.
I was expecting this: somehow I knew it would happen. I knew those words by heart, but somehow they were different that night, the meaning was clear and from the depth of my young heart I said, “I will take Christ as my Savior now.” Immediately a great peace filled my heart, my joy knew no bounds. I had to tell my dad and mom, my grandparents, everybody. As I look back on that day I consider it the greatest in my life.199
Dan Snaddon ended his story with a comment meant for all of us privileged to read it: “ Dear reader, as you eagerly press on into the contents of this book, may I urge you to pause for a moment’s reflection? Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Before another minute passes, why not trust Him and be saved.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
—John 3:16