A SHIP bound for South Africa had on board a little fellow named Hal, just ten years of age. Little Hal’s parents had gone out to Africa some years before, and now he was going out to join them. He had no one to travel with him, but the kind captain had taken charge of him and would see him safely in his parent’s arms.
Little Hal right from the beginning of the voyage had such a simple trust in his friend the captain, believing that he would take him safely to his father and mother, that he never seemed to have a doubt about reaching them. He would sit on the deck counting the days, and often would say, “I’ll soon see Daddy and Mother now.”
For days all they saw was the blue ocean waves, and a few sea birds. But then one morning those on board could see the dim outline of the distant shores of South Africa. With glee little Hal clapped his hands for he knew that a warm welcome awaited him there. The last glimpse I had of him was when he was safe at home in his father’s arms.
Happy little fellow. Just like a child who is trusting Jesus, I thought, trusting Him to take him safely Home, where a warm welcome awaits him in the Father’s house in heaven. But we must not suppose that every boy and girl goes there, though God does desire that every one might be saved. Only those who are the children of God can truthfully speak of heaven as their “Father’s house.” And only those who have been “born again” (John 3:3, 53Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)), and who have received the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour, can go there. How many boys and girls are taught to say. “Our Father which art in heaven,” but who know nothing of this new birth. We are made children of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we cannot rightly address Him as our “Father,” until we enter His family by being born again.
Dear young friend, can you call God your Father, and look forward with joy to that bright home in heaven? If not, you may.
ML-11/29/1964