The life of one of the kings of England was once saved by hiding in a tree. He had been defeated in battle, and was obliged to flee for his life. With only a single officer, he was separated from all his friends. In their flight they plunged into a thick wood. Their enemy pursued after them. Selecting a large tree, with very thick foliage, they climbed up and hid themselves above in its branches. Their pursuers passed directly underneath them. The poor king and his companion saw them searching about for him, but they were hidden from view by the leaves of the tree. Thus the King of England found shelter in a tree. That tree stood for long years afterward, and was always called the Royal Oak.
There is another tree that has proved a shelter, not only to a king, but to countless thousands besides. It is the tree to which they nailed our blessed Lord Jesus, the Son of God. Peter liked to speak of that tree. He wrote, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Pet. 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24).
O, cross of Christ! O, glorious tree!
What place can be compared to Thee,
Where God’s own Son was crucified
And for our sins a ransom died.
O, dear friends, that tree, the cross of Christ, will be your shelter from the judgment of God against your sins. It is a tree of life to all who trust themselves to its protection.
Come to the blood-stained tree;
The Victim bleeding lies;
God sets the sinner free
Since Christ a ransom dies:
The Spirit will apply
His blood to cleanse each stain,
O burdened soul, draw nigh
For none can come in vain—
Come, come, come.
“The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him.” Deut 33:12.
ML-12/18/1977