HOW GOD SAVED NATHAN BEDFORD FOREST
Matthew 7:26, “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:”
One of the greatest cavalry generals of the War Between the States was Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forest (1821 – 1877). Both Robert E. Lee and William T. Sherman called him the greatest cavalry general of the War and his tactics were studied by WWI and WWII generals. Yet few people are aware that after the War Forest repented of his sins and trusted Jesus Christ as his Saviour. He became a devout Christian and with his wife, Mary Ann, attended the Court Street Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN.
Prior to Forest’s salvation his wife prayed continually for God’s mercy and grace to fall upon him. On the evening of November 14, 1875, Forest surprisingly attended the Sunday night service with his wife. The pastor, George T. Stainback preached that night on the house built on the sand. At the end of the service, Forest stopped at the church door and waited for the pastor to come out and bid a customary farewell to the congregation.
Stainback later recalled, “He took my arm, and we passed to the pavement below.” At the sidewalk, Forest suddenly leaned against the wall and his eyes filled with tears. “Sir, your sermon has removed the last prop from under me,” he said, “I am the fool that built on the sand; I am a poor miserable sinner.”
He looked “all shaken” recalled Stainback, who recommended that he study Psalm 51 to find spiritual relief. The next evening the minister visited him for a talk and prayer and after the latter, Forest rose from his knees to say he felt satisfied. All is right. I put my trust in my Redeemer.” The next Sunday Forest joined his wife’s church and was a dedicated Christian for the rest of his life.
Psalm 51:1-19, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. [3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. [4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. [5] Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. [6] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [8] Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. [9] Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. [11] Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. [12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. [13] Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. [14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. [15] O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. [16] For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. [17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. [18] Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. [19] Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.”