The railroad ran right through the farm where little Betty lived, and this warm summer day she was having fun walking along the tracks in her bare feet, trying to keep her balance on the rails. Pete, her little dog, was scampering along beside her.
The ten o’clock train was due to pass in a few minutes, and already the whistle of the big engine could be heard up the track. But Betty was having such a good time she did not hear it. The train whistled again as it came nearer, and its big bell began to clang loudly, warning every one to get off the track at once. Still Betty seemed not to hear.
The engineer saw the little girl’s danger, and the big locomotive gave another loud long blast. Pete scooted out of the way, and just then Betty looked up and saw the train bearing down upon her. Instead of jumping out of the way she just froze with fear. The engineer was trying to stop the train but could not because of its speed. Little Betty stood right in its path, terror-stricken.
It seemed as if the big engine would strike her down, but suddenly something else—she knew not what—struck her, knocked her off the rails, and sent her tumbling down the bank. It was Pete! Her faithful little friend had seen his little mistress’ peril and acted the only way he could. The little rescuer was grazed by the engine’s fender and sent flying down the bank after Betty, but he was not badly hurt.
Oh, how Betty hugged and thanked her faithful little playmate for saving her life that day. She loved him before, but she loved him far more now after he had rescued her from such a dreadful death!
And Someone has come to rescue you, dear young reader, from a worse peril. Like the great train coming down the track, the judgment of God is coming and will fall upon all who are in their sins. Now the Lord Jesus came into this world to save sinners and all who trust Him as their Saviour are spared from judgment. He has borne that judgment for them; He takes them out of that place of condemnation and danger and puts them in a place of eternal safety where the judgment of God can never touch them. So Jesus died that we might live.
Have you, dear reader, been saved yet? “The Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither is His ear heavy that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:11Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (Isaiah 59:1).
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).
ML-01/02/1977