"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory"–John 17:24.
Last Wednesday evening our great and gracious God took our dear brother, Winford Cavanaugh, to his new and everlasting home. Before the foundation of this world God set His infinite love upon him and chose him for His own (Eph. 1:3,4; II Thess. 2:13). God brought him forth from the womb, preserved him to adulthood, kept him safe through the II World War, and never left his side through many years of natural darkness, religious deception, self-righteousness and presumption, though he knew it not.
"When it pleased God" (Gal. 1:15), He turned on the light in his, sin-darkened heart (Gal. 1:15,16; II Corinth. 4:6), showing him his lost estate and desperate need, and the great things God had done for him in and through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. "It pleased God" to save him from the penalty of sin in his 65th year and from the presence of sin in his 73rd year. In the years between his deliverances, Winford was a most thankful, delighted and delightful hearer of the Gospel of Christ. To him, the Word or God was not merely doctrine, even true God-given doctrine, but vital, living and life-giving truth. He never tired of hearing of Christ's person and work for sinners; in fact, he could never hear enough! Now, bless God! his faith is turned into sight (Job 19:26,27; I Corinth. 13:12; 1 Peter 1:9). Christ's work for Winford was successful (as always) and His prayer for Winford answered. They are together, the used-to-be sinner and his glorious Redeemer, for, ever and ever and ever!