Ben was a soldier stationed in Viet Nam. Many times he and others from his unit went on patrol. This always meant wading through big fields of muddy water in which rice was growing. This made the walking very difficult, especially in the hot summer sun.
One day as the company of men reached the center of a big field of rice, the command was given to “halt.” All the soldiers sat down on the dike, tired from wading through the water, and began to talk about going back to camp. They noticed a herd of twenty huge black water buffalo standing at the edge of the field. The buffalo had stopped their grazing and had turned to watch the soldiers.
“Look at all those buffalo,” Ben said.
“Yes,” replied his friend, Mike. “I sure hope they don’t cause us any trouble.”
Ben and Mike remembered seeing buffalo in the villages they had been through. The animals usually became very uneasy at the appearance of the soldiers, and the owners had to run out and quiet them or they would tear down their small corrals trying to get out.
“Oh no, they have all turned and are walking this way!” exclaimed Ben. Sure enough, the buffalo began walking very slowly towards the soldiers. As they walked, they formed into a group with the biggest and strongest bulls leading the advance. Ben and Mike were a little concerned, for though the buffalo were still some distance away, they moved steadily forward —directly toward them.
“It looks like they mean business,” said Mike. “You’d better tell the lieutenant, and ask what we should do.”
As the buffalo drew closer, they lowered their broad heads and stuck their noses straight forward snorting.
“Lieutenant, those buffalo are coming this way!” shouted Ben. “What should we do?”
“If they get too close, shoot them!” came the stern reply from the lieutenant.
Ben and Mike knew what they had to do. The soldiers had to be in that field, and if the buffalo started to charge, they would be shot. Though the buffalo were very big and strong, they were no match for the powerful rifles carried by the soldiers.
Ben and Mike reluctantly raised their rifles ready to fire, still hoping that the animals would not come closer. Step by step they advanced, snorting and pawing the ground. The soldiers aimed at the nearest one and began to squeeze the trier. Suddenly they heard the high shrill voice of a small child, and saw the buffalo stop. A small child was running toward them yelling something in the Vietnamese language, and waving a small short stick frantically at the buffalo. Much to the soldiers’ surprise and relief, all the buffalo immediately turned and ran off.
How this reminds us of the lost sinner traveling the dangerous path of self-will, little realizing the great danger which lies ahead. The word of God tells us: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Prov. 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12).) “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6).
How often men choose for themselves paths which only bring sorrow, and don’t listen to the voice of God speaking to their souls. God bids all to follow the path which leads to everlasting life. Listen to the voice of Jesus and come and live. As the buffalo were saved by obeying the words of the little boy, so you should: “Heed the warning voice, Make the Lord your happy choice, Then all heaven will rejoice; Be in time!”
ML-05/18/1980