THE little one in our picture looks very thoughtful as he walks along with his books under his arm. The others seem busy studying their lessons.
A great many children do not care enough about their lesson to do this, but go romping and playing, till the bell calls them into the school room.
You all know something about going to school. Why do you go?
Some say, “We go because we have to.” Others say, “We go to have fun.”
Still others say, “We go to learn.” This last answer is the one you should all be able to give. Many of you who do not take an interest in your lessons will be sorry someday, when school days are over and you no longer have the opportunity to study with good teachers.
The youngest who read, or hear this read, can tell of the pretty things they learn to make when they start to school or kindergarten.
Older ones can tell how they are learning to read, write and spell. Still older ones are learning arithmetic, geography, history and so on.
Did you notice the rainbow in the picture? When you get into high school and study physics or physical geography, you will learn about the rainbow and what causes it.
But God tells us something about the rainbow that we do not find in our school books. Sometimes teachers read from the Bible each morning at the opening of school, and the pupils who listen carefully may learn much about God’s Word.
But in many school rooms the Bible is never read, perhaps because the laws of the city or state forbid it.
You know that many hundred years ago, God destroyed the earth with a flood because of the great wickedness of the people. They were all drowned except Noah and seven others who went with him into the ark.
When the flood was over, God promised Noah that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. He placed the rainbow in the heavens for a token of this promise, saying: “And it shall come to pass when I bring a cloud over the earth that the bow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.” (Genesis 9:14, 1514And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 15And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. (Genesis 9:14‑15).)
But dear reader, people are as wicked now as they were before the flood, and God’s patience will not endure forever. He will not break His promise and send a flood, but He will destroy the earth in another way.
The storm of God’s wrath will surely fall on this wicked world, and it may be very soon.
But as there was a way of escape in Noah’s day, so God has provided a way of escape for you. Are you safe from the storm that is coming? Have you found shelter in Christ? For in Him only is refuge from this storm.
“By the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water perished: but the heavens and earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:5-75For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:5‑7)).
But before this terrible time comes, the Lord will descend into the air, and all, both living and dead, who have believed in Him, whose sins are washed away in His blood, will be caught up to meet Him in the air and to be forever with Him. (1 Thess. 4:16, 1716For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17).)
He may come before another sun sets. Will He take you?
Christ is coming, O be ready;
Let not slumber dull your eyes;
Do not say, “My Lord delayeth”;
He is coming, O be wise!
Some with empty lamps will hasten,
Seeking oil for them to buy;
But alas! they’ll never enter;
Vain for them has been the cry.
Such, with hearts of anguish burning,
When they find the door is shut,
Will, in terror, cry, “Lord open”;
He will say, “I know you not”.
Then be ready, O be ready;
Heed the cry while yet you may;
With lamps trimmed and burning brightly,
Wait that coming, blessed day.
ML 10/06/1912