Our family often went on picnics to a park about 15 miles from town. There was a lovely swimming pool in the park. The children usually enjoyed a good swim besides enjoying the picnic food of hot dogs, chips and cold drinks. It was especially fun for the children when they could invite their friends to share these happy times. One of these friends was Lynn, the little neighbor girl who lived across the street. She was the same age as our youngest son. They were in the first grade together and were best friends.
On one of those bright happy days we invited Lynn to go with us to the park. Everyone was having a happy time. The children were splashing and yelling and having fun in the pool. Mother was watching from a lawn chair in the shade of a huge oak tree, enjoying seeing the children’s fun. Into this happy scene near tragedy came. Our 12-year-old daughter Jenny stumbled over Lynn’s little body on the bottom of the pool!
Boys and girls this shows just how quickly the happy times of our lives can change in a moment. The Bible says, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:11Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1). Who would have thought that in the middle of the children’s happy play one of them could get into trouble with the mother carefully watching? Can anyone know what will happen in their life the next day, or even in the next moment?
Because we cannot see into the future to know what may happen, we must be sure we are ready for serious changes like Lynn’s. We can be ready for every event in life if we accept the Lord Jesus as our own Saviour. He becomes our Saviour when we believe on Him as the Son of God who “died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3).
Jenny was able to get Lynn’s unconscious body to the edge of the pool. There were willing hands to go to work to save her life. A young fireman from a nearby town was one of those who helped. He had just finished his training in life-saving skills. He quickly gave Lynn mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, a brand-new skill at that time.
Through the mercy of the Lord, this young man was able to get our little friend breathing again. The happy ending of that near-tragic event is a picture of how the Lord Jesus came to “seek and to save that which was lost.” Little Lynn was helpless; her life depended on her rescuers. And, boys and girls, there is nothing you can do to help save yourself from your sins. The saving of your soul depends on the Lord Jesus. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5). It is your sins that will take you to the bottom, but the Lord Jesus loves you and died on the cross to pay the full penalty of your sins. Jenny was able to get Lynn to the edge of the pool, and your parents may bring you to Sunday school. But like Lynn, you must have the work of another for you that you might have life. “He that... believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life.” John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24). The Lord Jesus is waiting to save you. Will you let Him?
ML-10/22/1989