When I was a boy, I was at the sea-shore for a holiday. A few of us got a boat, and went out among the rocks to fish. It was a lovely afternoon, and not the slightest appearance of wind or rain, so we made up our minds to have a grand time of it. We got into a creek where there was deep water, and lots of fish.
The hours sped quickly past, and the boatman kept reminding us that we must row for the shore before the turn of the tide, otherwise we should have to wait for several hours. But the fishing was so good, and the weather so fine, that we coaxed the old boatman to stay another hour, and yet-another, until the shadows. of night fell, and on these island shores, darkness falls quickly.
At last we pulled our anchor, but alas, too late. The tide had gone out, and there we were cut off from the shore. We had to sit there in the darkness for a long time, waiting till the tide flowed in.
This experience of school-days may be used to illustrate the solemn fact, that the tide of gospel grace is ebbing away, while sinners, old and young, are amusing themselves: cutting themselves off from salvation and heaven. And there will be no “flow” of that tide, once it ebbs and leaves you unsaved, you will have no future chance of salvation.
See then that you despise not the golden “now” of God’s grace. Tomorrow may be “too late.”
“Behold the Saviour at the door!
He gently knocks—has knocked before;
Has waited long—is waiting still:
You use no other friend so ill.
Admit Him, ere His anger burn,
Lest He depart and ne’er return;
Admit Him, or the hour’s at hand
When at His door denied you’ll stand.”
ML 10/22/1939