“THE old crocodile was both the king and the terror of the river where he lived in the heart of Africa. He knew the spears and arrows of the native hunters could never pierce the armor of his hide. At times he would crawl up on the rocks and lie in the sun. At other times he would lie almost submerged in the rivers, with only his snout and half-closed eye showing above the water. Then it was he looked like a log floating in the stream. Yet how often those great cruel jaws closed on some unsuspecting, thirsty animal that had come down to the river’s edge to drink.
Like most of his kind the old crocodile had a lair, or pantry, where he stored his victims until he was ready for dinner. His lair was a big cave underneath the overhanging bank of the river. Deep under the bank, above the level of the water, was a dry spot, which was his storeroom.
This particular day, the old crocodile was hungry, as he patiently waited in the stream. Down to the water’s edge came a little African boy. He had often been warned of the dangers that lurked there, but this time he was a little careless. The old crocodile’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He waited until the little boy turned his back, then slowly and silently the big reptile swam closer to his victim. The little fellow was enjoying the quietness of the scene, interrupted only by the singing of the birds. Suddenly, the floating log came alive. Two massive jaws, with rows of great shiny teeth, opened and grasped him by the leg, and began dragging him under the water. Half-drowned, overcome with pain and fright, the poor little fellow lost consciousness. Dragging his victim with him, the old crocodile made for the cave under the bank and deposited his prey on the floor of his den.
A crocodile doesn’t always eat his victim at once, but often leaves it in his pantry to devour later. For some reason, the old crocodile plunged back into the water, and returned to his favorite spot in the river.
By and by, consciousness returned to our little African friend. He opened his eyes, but everything was pitch black. Where was he? His leg hurt terribly. Suddenly he remembered that splash and those awful jaws that dragged him under, and he knew now that he was in the crocodile’s lair. Perhaps at any moment his captor would come back to eat his dinner.
Poor little fellow. Oh, if he could only escape from that awful prison! He dare not dive back into the river, for the old crocodile might seize him again. What could he do?
It so happened that this little African boy had attended some of the children’s meetings at the mission station. There he had heard the missionaries tell about the true God, and about Jesus, His beloved Son, the sinner’s Saviour and Friend, who hears and answers prayer. Could the Lord help him now? Would He look down upon a poor little African boy? Could He see him down in that dark awful cave? The Lord Jesus was his only hope, and the little captive cried, “Oh, Lord Jesus, please help me, please help me!”, again and again.
Then as he lay in the dark, it seemed that a faint ray of light was shining down through the roof of his prison. Yes, there was a crack overhead. He tried to scrape away the ceiling with his fingers but it was hard as stone, and he had to give up.
Presently he heard footsteps; someone was walking overhead. The little prisoner shouted as loud as he could, and as he shouted he prayed, “Oh, Lord Jesus, save me.”
A native was walking down the path to the river and heard a voice crying from somewhere. Where did it come from? It seemed to come out of the earth. He put his ear down to the ground. Yes, it was true. He ran back to the village to get help. Other natives came running with shovels and began to dig. Soon they could see the little African boy lying down below. The hole got bigger, and then from the darkness of the cave they gently lifted the little prisoner out into the beautiful sunshine. They carried him to the missionaries who dressed his wounds. Oh, how thankful that little boy must have been to the Lord Jesus for saving him from such an awful death!
How surprised and angry that hungry old crocodile must have been when he returned to find his pantry robbed, his dinner gone, and his den broken up and spoiled for good.
That old crocodile reminds us of Satan, that old serpent, the devil, and the little boy pictures to us a poor sinner caught and imprisoned by him through sin. Such are all who are outside of Christ—all who do not have Jesus as their Saviour. But if such is your case, dear reader, the Lord Jesus will hear your cry, “Lord Jesus, save me,” and in a moment He will deliver you from sin and. Satan’s power. He will bring you out of darkness of the pit of sin into the sunshine of His love, and care for you both now and forever. Won’t you let Him?
“I waited patiently for the Lord,’ and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit,... And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
“Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord His trust.” Psalm 40:1-41<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. 4Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. (Psalm 40:1‑4).
ML-08/16/1964