HIGH in the Swiss Alps lived a little girl who had for years crossed over a natural bridge formed by a huge rock; it had fallen clown from the mountain and lodged in a deep ravine near her home.
Her mother was an earnest Christian and often told her daughter about the blessed Saviour, who died in the stead of sinners, that He might bear the punishment they deserved for their sins. She also told her how all who do not come to Jesus and trust in Him are lost forever.
At first the little girl did not much care for these things, but at last the mother's prayers were answered; her little one felt herself as a lost sinner and believed that Jesus had died to saw her and shed His life blood to cleans her sins. She could now have the peace and assurance that if she died she would go to be with her Lord Jesus in heaven.
The mother noticed one day that the melting frost had loosened the big rock in the ravine, and it seemed about in fall. She warned her little one that if she crossed it again, she might he dashed on the rocks below.
The next day the little girl heard bet father say he was going across the bridge. He was unsaved, and when she said the bridge was not safe, he only laughed. When the dear little thing saw he was going over anyway, she asked him if she might go with him.
As they walked along she, looking up into his lace, said "Father, if I should die, will you promise me to love Jesus and meet me in heaven?"
"What put such a wild thought into your head?" he said. "You are only a wee thing and will live for many years.
"Yes, but if I should die, will you love Jesus as I do, and meet me in heaven?
"But you are not going to die; don't speak of it," he said.
"But if I do die, do promise, Father, you will come up and live with Jesus and me in. heaven."
"Yes, yes," he said at last.
When they came near the bridge she said, "Father, please stand here a minute." She loved him dearly and was willing to die for him. Running quickly she jumped on the rock. it dropped with a thunderous roar and the little girl was crushed on the rocky crags. The trembling parent crept to the edge and with tear-dimmed eyes gazed on the horrible sight.
He then thought of all the little girl had told him about how Jesus had died to save vs. He had never loved never loved her so much, but he began to see the truth of what God has told us, that He gave His only Son, in His is love for lost perishing sinners, so that they might have eternal life.
Does it not touch your heart, dear reader, to see that the Saviour came to bear all the punishment for the sins of those who accept, Him as their blest Substitute on the cross? Will you come now, just as you are, and thank God for His gilt, the Lamb of God?
Messages of the Love of God 10/26/1952