The development of little chicks inside the egg shell where they grow, is very wonderful. At just the exact time appointed of God, each little chick expands, and pecks his way out of the little shell house into the big wide world outside. They look rather damp and bewildered at first, but soon they are dry and downy soft, and begin to peck around curiously. They are provided with enough remaining nourishment from the yoke of the egg, from which they are developed, to last them for a day or so while they learn to eat and drink for themselves.
They pick at the oat screenings, used to make nice dry litter underfoot, and they peck at the cardboard fence all around them. Finally they taste the chick mash provided conveniently for them. How good that is! How busy our three hundred and fifty little chicks were, discovering what was good to eat, and what was not.
I should have said three hundred and forty-nine, for Bruce discovered one the next day, that did not try to eat. It just huddled in one spot. Careful examination proved it to be a nicely developed chick, but strangely it just wouldn’t eat. Nor would it drink, even when he dipped its bill into water. Its time was running out—if it didn’t get food, it could not live. Bruce tried his best, but it grew weaker and weaker.
This one little chick finally toppled over dead, and Bruce felt rather bad, but of course there was nothing he could do about it. And it reminds me of a man who remarked on the street one day at an outdoor gospel meeting, “I just can’t swallow that,” meaning the gospel message. Of course his statement was not true; he simply would not. He would rather believe Satan’s lie, and if he continued on in unbelief, he would surely die in his sins.
Dear reader, how are you treating the gospel of God’s grace? Are you refusing it? It cost God a great deal to provide a full and free salvation for sinners, and now He offers it to you, if you will only receive it. Why delay, for you cannot be sure of another moment?
ML 06/27/1954