WE all like to watch animals as they are fed, especially the baby animals and tiny creatures. Even big Rover, in our picture seems to enjoy seeing the chickens eat their supper. I imagine he had his meal off this plate, and some being left, the tiny chicks took their turn. And now the unselfish mother hen seeing first that her little ones have had enough, begins to eat her supper.
God tells us in His word that there is a proper time for all things: Eccl. 3:11To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1), so it is right for little folks to eat, yes, and to sleep, work and play. But how careful we all must be not to give too much of our thoughts and time to these thongs. We see many so-called Christian boys and girls, and men and women, too, spending all their time in these things, and taking no time for the reading of God’s word and for prayer. How sad this is when we are told to, “Search the Scriptures.” John 5:3939Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39) and to “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thess. 5:1717Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Can these boys and girls really love Jesus and do this way? It makes us fear greatly that they have never been saved, that they do not know what it is to have their sins forgiven: for surely they would want to please Him by obeying His word, if they did believe in Him as their Saviour.
If you know you are saved, pray the Lord to keep you from setting your mind too much on what you have to eat, or what you wear. Ask Him that even your work and necessary duties may not so take your thoughts and time that you cannot have time for Him. He will bless you in giving up an extra hour or two of sleep on Lord’s Day morning, in order to devote the day to Him; and He surely will give you the needed strength to complete some lesson or do some task that is postponed for a time, to attend some evening meeting. He notes all these deeds of self-sacrifice for Him. Satan is glad to keep people busy with necessary work, needed exercise or anything that will give them no time to think of Jesus and eternity. But turn to Matt. 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33). “SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.”
ML 04/21/1912