A group of men was building a sawmill. There are many parts to a sawmill, so there was a lot of fitting, cutting and reworking of parts. All this made the job last 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 spot where the large 52-inch saw blade, 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 saw blade where he had spent so much time in the past weeks!
A terrible tragedy was about to happen when Sam spotted Bear. Sam was not close to the saw cutoff switch. Even if he could shut down the motor, 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. Then Sam commanded the dog to come to him. Although not really wanting to follow the command, Bear obeyed and went to his master.
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 stop him.
This world is a place of danger. We can even get comfortable and feel safe in it. Then 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 path of death and judgment. But the Lord Jesus loves you and has His eye upon you, calling you away from the danger. He says, “Come unto Me ... and I will give you rest [comfort and safety]” (Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)). The world says, “Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them ... and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
Are you listening to the Master’s voice? Jesus warns you to stop! Then He tells you to come: “Come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live” (Isaiah 55:33Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:3)). Have you come to Him? Death and judgment are ahead. 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 Corinthians 6:2).
Now when the sawmill is running, Sam makes sure that Bear is in a safe place. He must be tied up so that tragedy cannot strike. And the Lord Jesus is carefully keeping those who belong to Him. He says, “ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:27-2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28)).
ML-03/22/2009