A LADY once went up to a man at a railway station who had a beautiful dog with him; she knew that he was not spending his life for God, but wasting it on himself and in the service of the devil. She began to fondle the dog, saying, “What a beautiful dog you have here.”
“Yes,” said the man gruffly; “but take care he don’t bite you. He is not fond of strangers.”
“O, he won’t bite me. Dogs know who are fond of them; no doubt you are fond of him?”
“Yes, I am!”
“Do you feed your dog?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“House him?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Does your dog obey your word of command?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And you would be disappointed if he did not love and obey you?”
“Yes, I should.” Then looking proudly at his dog, “But Rover does love his master;” and he patted his dog’s head as it looked up trustfully into his face.
“Would you be grieved if he followed a stranger?”
“Yes,” he replied, rather impatient at so many questions.
“Ah,” said she, in a sad, reproachful tone, “what a lesson that dog teaches you! God has fed you, housed you, cared for you, loved you these many years—but you do not love or obey Him. He so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son to die on the Cross for your sins, and yet you have never loved Him in return. You follow a stranger. Satan is your chosen master. The dog knows its owner, and you do not know yours.”
Truly it may be said, “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel doth not know; My people doth not consider.” Isa. 1:33The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. (Isaiah 1:3).
She looked sadly, yet kindly, at him as she spoke these words. His eyes filled with tears. He fixed them on his dog, and in a choking voice said, “Ah, Rover, Rover, you have taught your master a lesson. I have been an ungrateful sinner, but by God’s help be so no longer.” That evening he was found for the first time in the prayer meeting, crying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” and soon he was rejoicing in the knowledge of the forgiveness of his sins through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear young reader have you ever said, “Thank you” to God for all the blessings He allows you to enjoy? Are you really thankful to God for all His goodness to you? Then how will you show it? Why, of course, by doing what is pleasing to Him.
“And what is that,” you ask.
Give your heart, yourself, to the Lord Jesus. Take Him as your Lord and Master, and seek to please and obey Him in all your ways.
ML-02/22/1920