Some years ago two little children between two and four years old, grew weary of their play at home. They were restless and wanted a change.
So they slipped out of the house and started down the street in the direction of some railroad tracks. They were not old enough to know the danger, and toddled along without any fear.
It was not long, however, till father and mother missed the sound of their voices, and began looking for them. When they were not found in the house, their father started out, overtook them just before they reached the railroad, and brought them home to safety.
Many children run away from home and get lost. Others never do.
But in one way we are all lost, —lost in sin. And we are in danger of something more terrible than trains.
But just as the father of the children in our story went after them and rescued them from danger, so Jesus is seeking those who are lost in sin, and rescuing them from the eternal punishment that would surely follow if they continued in their wanderings on the “broad way that leadeth to destruction” (Matthew 7:1313Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Matthew 7:13)).
Often children run away and have a very happy time for a while, not knowing that they are lost. But when they grow weary and long for home, and don’t know how to get back, it is quite another story.
So, with lost sinners. They go on and on looking for pleasure down here, not knowing that they are lost in sin, and that danger is ahead of them.
Jesus is calling and telling you of the danger. And it is only when you listen to Him and find out how great that danger, how great your need, and how helpless you are, that you can ask Him for help and salvation.
A little girl in Canada writes, “I was a lost sinner, I knew that I need salvation, and that I must come face to face with my dear Lord someday. But now I can say, ‘He was wounded for my transgressions, He was bruised for my iniquities: the chastisement of my peace was upon Him; and with His stripes I am healed.’” Isaiah 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5).
“Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” John 6:37,37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37) is my favorite text, and I think it is so wonderful to know that someday we will go Home with Him to glory.”
This dear child not only trusts in Jesus as her Saviour, but when she is feeling discouraged or unhappy, she tells Jesus all about it and leaves her burdens with Him.
May you who are reading this have that same simple faith.
ML 02/15/1931