As Charles Wesley sat at his desk writing, a little bird flew into his room through an open window. After fluttering around frantically for a while it landed on his chest and clung there. Gently he caught it and held it to him.
The little body was quivering with fear. It had been pursued by a hawk, and in its distraction it had seen the open window and had come to him for refuge. Some instinct had led the frightened bird to trust him in its extreme danger, and in him it had found a safe hiding place.
This was the Charles Wesley who wrote so many beautiful hymns. The little incident suggested to him the opening lines of a hymn which he immediately wrote:
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly.
It is no surprise that Wesley’s thoughts were turned by this incident to the Saviour of sinners—the One who in the fullest sense is a refuge for the perishing. This wonderful Person is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is able and willing to save from Satan’s power all who come to Him in faith.
A great work had to be accomplished before He could be revealed as the triumphant Saviour. Through Adam’s sin the whole race of mankind had been sold—sold to the usurper, Satan. Only a sinless One—One who knew no sin—could buy it back or redeem it to God. This work of atonement was accomplished by God’s Son on Calvary’s cross when He suffered for our sins.
Has He not proved Himself to be the lover of your soul? Could He have done more? Impossible! He loves us even to death. He gave His life that we might be eternally saved. He paid the full price in His own blood.
Now, what is the Lord Jesus Christ to you? Have you profited by His atoning death on the cross? Have you accepted Him as your Saviour? Have you fled to Him for refuge from the great destroyer of souls? Your only safety is in Christ. He is your only refuge, your only Saviour. His heart longs to receive you, to give you freely the rich salvation that He has purchased at such a cost.
Flee from the wrath to come. (Luke 3:7.)
Neither is there salvation in
any other: for there is
none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby
we must be saved.
Acts 4:12