ONE afternoon a teacher told her geography class that they might close their books and rest a little, while she told them a story.
The story was about William Tell, the famous hero of Switzerland. She told her scholars how that the governor, who was a wicked tyrant, placed an apple on the head of Tell’s little boy, He then ordered his father to take his bow and arrow and shoot the apple from the head of his son.
At first William Tell was unwilling, for he trembled to think how the arrow might miss and kill his son. But the brave boy stood firm, and cried out, “Shoot, Father! I am not afraid!” William Tell took steady aim and the next moment the arrow sped on its way. What feelings of relief and thankfulness must have welled up in the father’s heart as he saw the apple, struck to the core, carried away by the arrow, and his little boy come running to him, unharmed.
While the teacher was telling this story, great black clouds had filled the sky and suddenly the storm burst all around them. There was a brilliant flash of lightning and a terrific crash of thunder. Many of the children screamed and began to cry, and some of the little ones ran to the teacher for protection.
However, one boy, named Willie Hawthorne, kept his seat and went quietly on with his project. When the storm was over the teacher said, “Willie, why weren’t you scared?”
“Because, teacher,” Willie replied, “I knew the lightning was only an arrow in my heavenly Father’s hand, so why should I be afraid?”
Willie was a Christian boy, and he knew that God was his Father because he believed in His Son, the Lord Jesus. He had also learned that it was God Himself who controls the wind, the lightning, the thunder and the rain. Perhaps he had read that Scripture: “He made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder,” Job 28:2626When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: (Job 28:26); and again, “His hands He covereth with lightning, and commandeth it where it is to strike.” Job 36:3232With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt. (Job 36:32). J.N.D. Trans.
How well it would be for each of us if, like Willie, we had learned to trust in the Lord and had confidence in His love and power to protect us. For the one who puts his trust in the Lord Jesus will ever be the special object of His care. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty;” again, “He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Ps. 91:1, 11.
ML-12/04/1960