Some of you boys and girls who read these stories are growing up on a farm just like I did. My dad planted crops like wheat and corn, and he also had some dairy cows. There were always lots of chores to do, and I helped with them even before I was a teenager.
My dad had a tractor that we used to work in our fields, but it wasn’t like the tractors that farmers have nowadays. Modern tractors are more comfortable to ride on than they were years ago. Now, many have air conditioning to keep you cool when the hot, summer sun is blazing down on the field. Some even have tape players so that you can listen to your favorite music while you work. Plus, tractors today have many safety features to protect you from harm.
Our tractor wasn’t at all like this. It didn’t have a cab, air conditioning or a tape player. It didn’t have fenders over the tires or other types of safety guards. It didn’t even have power steering. When you hit a rock or other bump as you were driving across a field, the front tires would suddenly jerk to one side or the other, and if you weren’t hanging on tightly, you might be thrown off the tractor.
One day, when I was twelve years old, that’s exactly what happened to me. I was driving the tractor when, all of a sudden, it hit a bump. Even though I was standing up and holding onto the steering wheel tightly, the jolt sent me hurtling through the air. For a split second I was sailing over one of the back tires while it was still turning. I looked down to realize that the next second I would land on that tire. Then its turning would throw me to the ground and run right over me. The tractor was pulling a double set of disc blades. If the tire didn’t crush me to death, then the blades would run over me and cut me all up.
This sounds awful, doesn’t it? It all happened so quickly that I hardly had a chance to get very scared when in midair I could see that turning tractor tire. Still, my situation was dangerous, and I was helpless to bring myself to safety. I was doomed.
Several years before, someone who cared about my soul very much had spoken to me, along with some other boys, about a Bible story in Matthew 259But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (Matthew 25:9). He described to us how the Lord Jesus will judge the nations. It is pictured in that story like a man dividing his sheep from his goats. The one group is blessed, while the other goes away into everlasting punishment. I was impressed right then with my need for the Saviour. I prayed and asked Him to forgive my sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)).
As a young child, I didn’t try to argue about the truth of what I was told from the Bible. I didn’t put it off as something to accept when I was older. I just received it as a message from God Himself for me to believe with all my heart. From that time, I knew that the Lord Jesus was my Saviour and that I was a child of God.
He promises to take care of every one of His children with His constant care. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness” (Isaiah 41:1010Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)). As I was hurtling over the tractor tire, my Saviour was still in control. The next thing I knew, my body was draped over the axle housing. I don’t know how it happened, but I never touched the spinning tire. I was then able to climb back up and grab the steering wheel once again so that the tractor did not spin out of control.
Isn’t the Lord good? I thanked Him over and over for His special care over me that day. And I have proven many times since then that “the Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:77The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)).
Boys and girls, the Lord Jesus is worthy to be trusted. He invites you to come. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)). He tells you to come now. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)). What are you waiting for?
ML-07/08/2001