“Tell us a story about the war” was a very common request of the colonel’s grandsons, as they sat on his knees. He had been in many dangers, and he had often been given protection from the Lord, even before he was saved, when as a young officer, he delighted in hearing the cannon roar and the clash of swords. After God saved him, he saw things differently and wanted to tell others about Jesus.
“I’ll tell you a short story tonight, my boys, which I would like you to remember, and in order to keep it in your minds, I want you to learn and repeat a verse from God’s own Word first. You will see the connection when you hear my story. The verse is this: ‘Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely’ (Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)).
“Now, for my story. When I was out in foreign service, we were on a long march through the desert. Our supply of water was completely gone, and we were all very thirsty. Some of the soldiers were actually sucking the sand, wherever they saw a little moisture, hoping to find water. Day after day passed, and we began to fear that many would die for want of water.
“We had been told of certain ‘pools’ somewhere near the line of our march, and we hoped every hour to reach them. At last one of the officers gave the cheering signal of water within sight, and we strained our eyes to catch the first glimpse of it. We thought it would be the ‘pools,’ but to our amazement a whole lake appeared in the distance. The thirsty soldiers could not restrain their delight, but burst into a song. But sadly, the lake turned out to be a mirage of the desert.
“A mirage has the appearance of real water, but it is only an optical illusion. (That means it only looks like something is there.) How disappointed we were! Our tongues seemed to stick to the inside of our mouths, as we found that the mirage had deceived us.
“I learned a lesson that day, my dear boys, that I will never forget. Fair appearances often deceive. The world’s pleasures, its honors and its wealth are like that mirage in the desert. They promise much, but give nothing to truly satisfy.
“Just as we were about to stop to camp for the night, we suddenly came to a river of beautiful, clear water ... what a joyful sight! Never before did I enjoy a drink of water as I did that evening. The men knelt down and drank their fill, and our camp that night was full of gladness. We valued the water because we were so thirsty.
“And now, my dear boys, for the lesson. We are all in a thirsty desert. This world has nothing that can satisfy us. Its promises are like that mirage. But the wonderful gospel is like that real river, giving life and joy and peace. Best of all, it is free, and the invitation of God is: ‘Ho every one that [thirsts], come ... to the waters’ (Isaiah 55:11Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1)). ‘Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely’ (Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)).”
The boys listened carefully to their grandfather’s story, and they did not soon forget the lesson from that “mirage of the desert.”
Dear boys and girls, as you have read this story from many years ago, I hope it stays in your hearts, too. There is nothing that can satisfy our hearts in the world. You must come to Jesus and receive Him in order to have life and peace.
Messages of God’s Love 7/28/2024