Charles was a little boy who lived near the fire station. He liked to go to fires and watch. When the fire alarm sounded he would race for the station and the firemen would lift him up, putting him between them on the seat of the great engine, and off they would go down the street to the fire!
One day is mother said to him: “Charles, I’m going downtown. Now, don’t you go to any fires while I’m gone. I want you to stay right here.” Charles promised to obey and his mother went downtown. While she was gone the fire alarm rang, and forgetting his promise to his mother, Charles ran to the fire station. Soon the firemen and he were roaring down the street to the clanging of the bells, while people and cars and dogs and cats all rushed to get out of the way.
It so happened that Charles’ mother was driving up the street and saw him, so she followed the engine until she came to the fire. She ordered Charles to come down off the engine and right there in the presence of all he got a good spanking for his disobedience.
The time came when Charles trusted the Lord as his Saviour. God used him and through his preaching many were won for Christ; but he never forgot that spanking and the lesson of obedience learned that day.
There is much in the Bible about obedience; it is the way to happiness and peace, dear young friends. Trust the Lord as your Saviour, seek to walk in obedience to His Word, and you will be a happy Christian.
ML-09/03/1978