Memory Verse: “Our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:13, 14
“Strike three!” called the umpire as it started raining just enough to wet the dust on the base paths. It was getting windy and the leaves on the nearby trees rustled.
“Well,” the umpire said turning to the two coaches, “do we finish the game? It’s not raining very hard.”
Both coaches wanted to finish the game since the score was tied. They were hoping it wouldn’t rain any harder until they had a chance to break the tie score. The little leaguers on both sides were happy with the decision. A little rain wasn’t going to bother them.
“Uncle Peter, Uncle Peter,” called a little girl.
The coach of one of the teams walked over to where the spectators were seated and said, “Melissa honey, if you will just sit still until we finish the game, then we can go home.”
“But, Uncle Peter, my doll is getting wet, and if I don’t do something she’s going to catch cold,” Melissa replied obviously worried.
“I’ll tell you what to do. Run over to the car and put your doll in the back seat where she can keep dry.”
“Okay, Uncle Peter,” Melissa said and off she trotted.
Baseball games don’t usually interest little girls for very long, but most men and boys keep very interested. These two teams were trying so hard to break the tie score that no one seemed to notice the towering, dark thunderclouds forming on the horizon. They played a little while longer, until a gust of wind bent the surrounding trees way over and blew baseball caps across the field. No question about it, it was quitting time now. No one could play ball in wind like that.
Then they spotted it — a tall, dark funnel cloud, and it was swiftly moving their way. In a few seconds they could hear it, too, rumbling like a train, growing louder every moment as it got closer!
The faces of the boys grew pale. The coach’s voice was stern and nervous as he ordered the players, “I want everybody to run to the ditch as fast as you can and lie face down!” Then turning to the spectators he shouted, “Don’t go to your cars — they’re not safe. Go to the ditch! Go to the ditch!” he ordered.
The coach also ran to the ditch, glancing hurriedly over the field to make sure no one was left behind. Then scanning up and down the ditch he saw his son was there, but where was Melissa? Where did that little girl wander off to? He scanned the ditch a second time, but still he didn’t see her. Then he remembered where she was... in the car... she had gone to the car! He ran to the car as fast as he could. The wind tore at him as he ran. The sound was deafening as he reached the car. He grabbed the screaming child out of the car and holding her close, ran for the ditch. Pieces of grit and debris flew by him like bullets and stung him as he ran. He made it to the ditch and threw Melissa in. Melissa turned to see her uncle, but he wasn’t there! The tornado had swept him away before he could drop into the ditch himself. In another moment he would have been out of danger... but he wasn’t in time!
Melissa had been carried out of danger at the cost of her uncle’s life. Someone far greater than Melissa’s uncle died to provide a safe place for sinners. On the cross, Jesus shed His precious blood to make an “atonement” or covering for sin. God’s salvation is now free to all who will receive it by simply admitting they are sinners and believing that the Lord Jesus has suffered for their sins. If you haven’t believed on the Lord Jesus yet as your own Saviour, won’t you do this before another moment passes?
Be in time! Be in time!
While the voice of Jesus calls you,
Be in time!
If in sin you longer wait,
You may find no open gate,
And your cry be just too late,
Be in time!
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.
“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.
ML-03/09/1986