AN INDIAN, hungry and starving, once came to a white man’s house and asked for something to eat. While he was sitting down and eating the meal provided, his host observed a colored ribbon hanging around the Indian’s neck, attached to which was a little pouch. When asked what the little pouch contained, the Indian replied that he had a charm which had been presented to him many years before.
The white man asked permission to examine the contents of the pouch, and this being given, he discovered to his amazement that the “charm” was a discharge granted to the Indian as a wounded soldier, and it was accompanied with a pension for life in recognition of his services in the war. For years the poor red man had been wandering about in quest of the necessities of life, and often he had been hungry and destitute. Yet all that time he had in his possession, and carried constantly about with him, that which would have afforded him comfort and plenty. Not knowing what a pension meant, and not understanding its value, he made no use of it.
The Indian’s condition aptly illustrates the position of countless thousands regarding the salvation of God. Restless and unsatisfied in heart, they hurry through life trying to satisfy their soul’s hunger, like the prodigal son, with the world’s husks, instead of feasting on the Bread of Life. Hearken to the words of Scripture: “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:8, 98But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:8‑9).
ML-06/28/1970