The morning began as usual. But since it was beautiful summer weather, Benjie decided to head toward the mouth of the bay on his bike after lunch to take some pictures with his camera. He is an eager biker and enjoys riding all over town on his battery-powered bike. So he set out to enjoy the afternoon.
Benjie was enjoying his ride. The breeze through his helmet was refreshing in the heat. Suddenly a car, which had just passed him on the road, made a quick, right-hand turn directly in front of him! Benjie had no choice of what to do since there was nowhere to go. Fearing what would happen if he jammed very hard on his brakes, he ran into the car and slammed onto the pavement. When the two young men in the car saw Benjie on the pavement, they were very upset and quickly called for an ambulance and the police.
“Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:11Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)). You really don’t know what is going to happen today or even in the next few moments. Are you ready for eternity? The Lord Jesus is calling you. Are you telling Him, “Later, I’ll ask Jesus to save me later.” “Later” may be forever too late. The Bible says, “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)).
As Benjie lay on the road in terrible pain, he knew that whatever the outcome, the Lord Jesus was his Savior and was taking care of him. He also knew this Bible verse: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psalm 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15)).
Boys and girls, do you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior? He loves you and will care for you. He is longing to hear the voice of a child calling on His name, just as Benjie did as a child.
He was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he received good care from the skilled doctors and nurses. They were able to put his dislocated shoulder back into place and put a cast on his broken arm. As they worked on him in the hospital, he felt the comfort of the Lord Jesus with him. He remembered the verse, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)). He knew he wasn’t alone during this painful time.
Would you like to know such a wonderful, caring Savior? God sent His only Son to die in your place. Maybe you know this verse: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)).
During this time, Benjie was able to talk to a hospital worker, telling her about his Savior Jesus and how He died on Calvary’s cross for our sins. He wanted her to be ready to meet Jesus. He has known the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior for many years, and his heart overflows with thanksgiving. It is his joy to tell the love of God to any who will listen.
Children, Benjie wants you to know that the most important thing in your life is to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your very own Savior while there is still the opportunity to be saved. When he set out to take pictures that day, he had no idea that he would end up in the hospital. When we begin each day, we also don’t know what the day will bring. However, we are invited to know Jesus, the One who holds the day in His loving hands. What a privilege to wake up each morning knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we have a loving Savior who guides us through each day with His tender, loving care.
ML-01/14/2018