It had been a pleasant day for the young couple in the small sailboat; they had enjoyed fresh breezes and warm sun. But the day was drawing to a close and they were tired, so they decided to call it a day and turned their sails toward the boat-ramp two miles away.
Suddenly they noticed coming toward them a small bird flying very erratically. He fluttered into the boat, quite ruffled and a little anxious as he looked up at the human occupants! He must have been relieved to find a resting place for his weary body, after traveling far over the open water, and he looked frightened and LOST. But one thing was sure: though weary, he was SAFE.
Quietly he rode along with the young sailors until at last they reached land and beached their boat. Then a rescued and rested little bird looked around with his bright eyes, selected the nearest tree, and was off to a secure perch as fast as his wings could fly.
Dear friend, just as there was a refuge for this travel-weary bird, there is a Refuge for the sinner who comes to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Many lost souls are deceived by Satan, "the prince of this world," and are like this little bird. They wander through life, never finding real rest, peace or happiness.
Are you weary of endless searching? Are the years of life taking their toll? Are you without "hope, and without God in the world"? Are you resting on religion or your own good works? It is all in vain! God says: "There is none righteous, no, not one," and "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:10, 2310As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10)
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23).
Jesus says: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28). For those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and the blood He shed on the cross for their sins there is real rest, peace and happiness. Once lost, now found! They are eternally SAFE and secure.
What awaits the Christ-rejecting soul, still wandering in his sins, still blindly groping for reality? If he dies in his sins, he will spend an eternity in hell. Hell is a place of "weeping and gnashing of teeth," (Luke 13:2828There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (Luke 13:28)) and a place of "outer darkness."
Do not wait another minute! "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31). Your wanderings will cease and your rest for eternity will begin.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That SAVED a wretch like me;
I once was LOST, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see!