Recently, a group of men were building a sawmill. There are many parts to a sawmill, so there was a lot of fitting, cutting and reworking of parts. This all made the job drag on over a period of weeks.
During those weeks Sam’s dog, named Bear, liked to keep Sam and the other men company. Bear always chose the same spot to lie down where he could watch all the activity. This favorite spot happened to be the very place where the large 52-inch sawblade, which would saw the logs, would soon be put into place.
Finally the big day came — which happened to be the 4th of July — to test the sawmill and run the first logs through. Bear kept a safe distance while watching the men’s activities.
The men were still testing the sawmill as evening wore on. Nearby some fireworks suddenly were set off. The loud bangs frightened Bear and sent him running for cover. And where do you suppose he ran for safety? Right toward the whirring sawblade where he had spent so much time in the past!
A terrible tragedy was about to happen when Sam spotted Bear. Sam was not close to the cutoff switch. Even if he could shut down the engine, the blade would continue turning for some time until it slowed to a stop.
Sam shouted as loudly as he could, “BEAR — STOP!”
The startled dog looked up as he stopped in his tracks, only inches from the deadly blade.
Sam continued to command the dog to come to him. Although not really wanting to follow the command, Bear obeyed and went to his master, still not realizing the danger that was so near.
Boys and girls, this story has much to teach us. So often we feel comfortable in dangerous places and dangerous situations. Bear felt comfortable for a long time, lying in a certain place. But we know it could have cost him his life, except that his master saw him in time and called out to him, urging him to safety.
This world is a place of danger. We can even get comfortable and feel safe in it. And when problems come, it can become the natural thing to just turn to the world for help. But the end result is even greater danger.
The world is on a course of death and judgment. But the Lord Jesus loves you and has His eye upon you, calling you away from the danger. He urges you to come to Himself. “Come unto Me,” He says. The world says, “Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them... and they shall not escape.”
1 Thess. 5:33For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3). It goes on, “Let us... [put] on... the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:8,98But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Thessalonians 5:8‑9).
Are you listening to the Master’s voice? Jesus warns you to stop! Then He urges you to come! “Come unto Me... and I will give you rest [comfort and safety].” Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28). Have you come? Death and judgment are near at hand. Come to the Saviour now! He loves you and died on Calvary’s cross to wash away your sins. He anxiously waits to receive you and keep you in safety. Tell Him that you accept Him as your Saviour. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Now when the sawmill is ruing, Sam takes care that Bear is in a safe place. He must be tied up so that tragedy cannot strike. So the Lord Jesus keeps His own. He says, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28).
ML-11/01/1987