We had just pitched our tents on the bank of the Hawash River when the sky grew dark and rain began to pour down. As often happens in Africa, the rain came down so hard and fast that the ground could not absorb it quickly enough. Soon there were many little ponds and rivers joining together to swell the nearby stream which fed the Hawash River.
As the rain was beginning, a shepherd led his flock of sheep down to the edge of the stream and hurried them quickly over to the other side. All but one of the sheep crossed over safely. And that little lamb was enjoying the green grass near our tent and was left behind when the rest crossed the stream.
Are you like that foolish little lamb? Perhaps your daddy and mother know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and are following Him. Maybe your brother is saved, or the friend you sit next to in Sunday school may belong to the Lord Jesus. But, like the little lamb, you are still going your own way and not following the Lord Jesus Christ to safety.
As long as the rain was gentle and soft, the little lamb enjoyed munching away at the green grass all by itself. But soon the rain began to come down harder and harder, and then the lamb became frightened. It decided to join the other sheep on the other side of the stream. However, the rain had swollen the stream until it was now a rushing river, much too deep and fast for the lamb to cross over safely. The poor little lamb began to run up and down the bank of the stream, bleating in fear.
Today it is easy for you to come to the Lord Jesus. He loves you and calls you to “come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)). He promises that “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)). He invites you now; tomorrow may be too late. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)).
The shepherd soon missed his little lamb and waded back across the rushing stream to carry it to safety. But the little lamb was frightened by the rain and the thunder, and every time the shepherd came close to it, the lamb ran away from him, bleating. It did not seem to understand that the shepherd was only trying to carry it to safety.
It was getting dark, and hyenas would soon be prowling around, looking for something to eat. The little lamb was in real danger.
Faithfully and lovingly the shepherd followed the lamb, calling and calling until at last he managed to catch it. Then, holding it on his shoulders out of reach of the rushing water, the shepherd carried it safely to the fold where the rest of the sheep were sheltered.
Boys and girls, won’t you let the Lord Jesus save you? He said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep” (John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)). He loved you so much that He suffered and died on the cross so that you could be saved from the punishment for your sins. He wants to forgive you now and then take you safely home to spend eternity with Him in heaven when your life here on earth is over. Won’t you let Him save you right now?
ML-04/08/2001