BOBBY did not like school. He much preferred roaming in the woods and fields to books and studies. His father’s work took him away from home all day and this gave Bobby the opportunity to often play hooky from school.
When the school principal learned that Bobby had been absent from school for a whole day at a time without his parents’ knowledge, he determined to catch the young truant, if possible. But that was not so easy. Bobby was very fast on his feet, and he knew good places where he could hide himself.
However, early one morning, four school boys were set to watch Boy’s movements. He saw that he was being watched, and when he saw an opportunity, he darted into the woods, with the boys after him. Poor little fellow! He was nearly always barefooted, and this time he forgot about the thorn bushes and how difficult it would be to flee from his pursuers there. Before he had gone very far, a big thorn pierced his foot, making it bleed badly. He pulled it out as best he could and made for the road, in hopes of gaining a hiding place in some of the houses by the way. On he ran, limping as he went, and was well ahead of the boys on his trail. There was a little old empty house along the roadside and into this he ran, thinking he would be quite safe there. He thought they would never think of going inside to look for him. Sitting down, lifting his foot on his knee, he began to search for more thorns.
Alas for Bobby’s secret hiding place. The blood from his bleeding foot had left its telltale marks all along the way, and the boys had no difficulty in following his trail. Boy was caught, and punished as a bad boy should be. We hope he learned his lesson.
This story of school days reminds me of a text in God’s Book, which I wish every boy and girl will remember. It is this, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Num. 32:2323But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23).
You cannot hide your sin or yourself from God. Justice and judgment will find you out. God knows where you are and what you do. If you remain unsaved, you will be punished forever for your sins. But if you come to Christ, the Saviour whom God sent into this world, you will find that His precious blood can cleanse all your sins away, and make you whiter than snow, make you fit to appear in peace before God.
ML-11/20/1966