BOB WAS a little boy and lived in the country. His father had a fine patch of watermelons in the garden and Bob could hardly wait until they were ripe.
Bob knew he shouldn’t touch those melons without asking his father, but Satan suggested to him that if he took just one no one would know. Yet by the time the melons were ripe Bob made up his mind he would have one all for himself. So taking his new jackknife he severed a big one from the vine and taking it around behind a big old tree stump he sat down to enjoy his feast.
The Bible says “Stolen waters are sweet,” and “there is pleasure in sin for a season.” We are sorry to say Bob enjoyed his melon, and then to make sure that no one would find out, he buried the skin and seeds behind the big stump.
The next day, Bob’s mouth watered again as he looked at the melons ripening on the vine. It was easier to take a melon the second time. And again Bob enjoyed the stolen fruit behind the big stump. Again he buried the skin and seeds in the ground. Bob had several watermelons after that until one day at suppertime his father remarked, “What’s happening to our watermelons? Somebody must be stealing them.”
Poor Bob’s conscience smote him then and there. He said not a word but he had no more appetite for watermelons. Well had it been for him if he had confessed to his father then that he was the thief. He was miserably unhappy and could scarcely look his father in the face but he kept his secret until it came out in a remarkable way.
Bob scarcely went near the old stump, for it ever reminded him of his guilt. Then one day the next summer, his father took him over there and lo, the ground all about the stump was covered with melon vines.
“I think I know who stole our melons last summer his father said. Just the other day I saw something bright out here. It was your jackknife that you couldn’t find last winter.” He looked very sadly at Bob as he said, “I’m afraid the old stump wasn’t a very good place to keep your secret.”
God says, “Behold your sin will find you out.” Num. 32:2323But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23). It is sin that separates from God, gives us a bad conscience and makes us miserable and unhappy. Sin brings us into shame and dishonor. Sin brings death and judgment.
“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). Dear young reader, if your sins are still unforgiven, go to the Saviour now. He knows them all, and you will find forgiveness, peace and happiness.
ML-12/30/1973