THE young woman in the picture does not seem at all afraid of the soldier. I wonder why?
Many years ago a Christian officer in the British army was endeavoring to have his wife put her trust in the Lord. She could not see how she would not be brought into judgment for her sins. Taking his sword from his side he pointed it at her breast. She did not shrink and was not at all afraid. “Why are you not afraid? How do you know I am not going to kill you?” asked her husband. “Because I know the one who holds the sword, and he loves me too well to harm me.” she answered smiling.
He told her then of the wondrous love and mercy the Lord showed in bearing God’s judgment of sin that we might go free. His death on Calvary’s tree fully satisfied God on the question of sin. It was our sins heavy load that caused our blessed Saviour to cry out “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”
So the sword of Divine justice will never descend on one who puts his trust in Jesus, and can say, “He bore my sins in His own body on the tree.” Just so, the children of Israel sheltered under the blood of the slain lamb were saved from the judgment which came to Egypt.
The Father loves His children and will not bring us into judgment, for we stand free in the Son. He sees us perfect through His own well-beloved Son. The Lord has said “Thou hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me.” John 17:2323I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23).
ML 05/30/1909