SOMETIME ago three young girls were bathing in the open sea. In the full enjoyment of youthful strength, they swam out against the rolling, breaking waves, until they were wearied with the pleasant exercise. They then made for the beach, but before landing, one of them said she would have another short swim.
The other two reached the shore safely; but when the third tried to return, she found her strength was gone, and that it was impossible to swim against the strong, ebbing tide that was now setting out to sea.
As all effort on her part was useless, she was forced to the conclusion that she could not save herself. Another must save her; she could do nothing for herself. Help must come to her, or she would be lost. Turning on her back, she floated on the water, and looking up to God, earnestly cried to Him for help.
Her friends were watching from the beach, their shouts for aid reached a man who was working close at hand. He came running up, on the way casting off his coat and hat; and when he reached the little group at the water’s edge, he said, “I can’t swim much, but I will do my best,” and plunging into the water, he attempted to reach the drowning girl. But it was beyond his strength, and soon he was overpowered by the rushing, roaring waves, and sank before the eyes of the anxious watchers.
Heroic though his purpose was, he was not able to accomplish it. Unable to deliver himself from the awful power of death, which he had so nobly ventured to meet, it was impossible for him to rescue another.
But help was near. A life-buoy and line were found, and a strong swimmer went out with them, and soon both he and the young girl were drawn safely to shore, —she saved by another, and at the cost of a precious life.
And now, dear reader, has the record any voice for you? Are you battling in life’s stream? And have you found that all your efforts to save yourself from the awful waters of judgment that are rising round you are useless? Have you found that all your desires to be better, your seeking “to turn over a fresh leaf” are fruitless, and that you are without strength? (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6).)
Perhaps you are now learning this; or you may realize that you are lost, and unless help comes from another, there is nothing for you but death: and “after death the judgment.” (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).) Let me tell you whether you have discovered it or not, that this is so. If you are in your sins, you are hopelessly lost.
But there is help in another; there is a Saviour; One who laid down His life; One who went forth, not in nature’s strength to do His best, but One “who through the Eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to God.” (Heb. 9:1414How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14).) And God has accepted the sacrifice, for He has raised Him up, and seated Him at His own right hand, a full and blessed proof of the righteous acceptance of His work in laying down His life for poor sinners.
And now again, dear reader, let me ask you, have you given up all that is of your own strength, and in simple faith looked up to Him, and found One who is able to save to the uttermost all those that come unto God by Him? (Heb. 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25).)
May God grant that you may turn to Him just as you are, and know Him as your Saviour and your Lord. W. H. S.
A CHRISTIAN dying was asked, “Is your faith strong?” to which he replied, “No; but MY JESUS IS; I rejoice in Him greatly with a quiet joy.”
ML 08/06/1899