WE had just started our meeting for the young, one Friday evening, when we were interrupted by the appearance at the door of a little boy, brought in by someone who inquired if any of the children knew him or where he lived, as he was lost.
None of them seemed to know. Evidently he had wandered from home farther and farther until he could not find his way back again, then he began to cry, thus attracting the attention of the person who had brought him to the door of the schoolroom.
No doubt his friends were sorrowfully seeking him, and how anxious they would be until the little wanderer was found. Our inquiries were soon rewarded, and the little boy was taken hack to his brothers and sisters. How pleased they were to see him again, and how glad was he to be at home in safety.
Does not this remind us of the Lord Jesus, who came to seek and to save that which was lost. He is the tender Shepherd who went after His lost sheep until He found it. He left the brightness of His home above, that He might have the joy of bringing us there, cleansed from all our sins and made fit for His presence.
Have you found out that you are lost, and are you glad to flee to Him for refuge? If so, you can sing joyfully,
“I was lost, but Jesus found me.”
Five children were once lost. One only was crying; why was this? He had discovered that he was lost, and this made him anxious. All were really lost, but one only had found it out. It is a very necessary thing that we should learn that we are sinners in God’s sight and thus need a Saviour. David had learned this lesson when he said to God,
God loves you, He loved David, but He could not love David’s sin, He must punish that. It was God’s lovingkindness that gave Jesus to die for us, to be punished in our stead. What wonderful love He has shown us, who were lost and in our sins, away from God. Will He hear you when you cry? He will, He heard David and answered Him, and He will answer you too. He says,
The day of trouble is when we discover that we are helpless, and the Lord Jesus is the only one who can save us. O, He is such a precious Saviour, just the Saviour you need. You need Him, dear boy, dear girl, and He desires you.
It is sad to be lost in this world, to be wandering away from home and from those who love and care for us, but O, how terribly sad to have turned away our faces from the God who loves us and has given His own Son for us. He died on the cross to show us God’s love and His own, and in order that our sins might be put away forever; and now He lives for us at God’s right hand. Listen to what He says,
“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me.” Isa. 44:2222I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. (Isaiah 44:22).
ML 08/14/1927