Buffy was a big dog, full of fun and adventure. He was part of a happy family where four children saw to it that he was fed and cared for every day. But Buffy would sometimes run away to find some excitement. Then the children would hunt through the neighborhood to find him. One cold afternoon late in the spring he set off on an adventure that almost cost him his life.
Buffy had not gone far from home when he found some open water in the frozen river, just big enough for a dog his size to enjoy a refreshing swim. He had often gone swimming with his owners at a lake during the summer. So it must have been with these pleasant memories in mind that he plunged into that icy water! It wasn’t long before he felt the cold through his thick fur. Buffy scrambled out and climbed, wet and shivering, up the riverbank. He was cold and looked around for a warm spot to rest before heading home.
Nearby, the gleaming railroad tracks shone in the afternoon sun. Buffy had been scolded a time or two for playing on those tracks. Trains regularly used them, making them dangerous to be near. He had keen ears, and right now they told him that all was safe. He could depend on his keen hearing to alert him when a train was coming while it was still a long way off, and his strong legs could take him to safety. Buffy stretched out contentedly on the warm tracks and fell asleep.
A short while later he awoke with a start, sensing something was wrong. He tried to scramble to his feet, but found himself held fast to the track. He squirmed and fought with all his strength, but something would not let him go. Finally poor Buffy gave up and slumped down exhausted, whining pitifully. His keen ears had heard the rumblings of a train far in the distance, but his soaking wet fur had frozen fast to the steel train track. The river water which had looked so inviting and the warm, gleaming track had combined to hold him fast. Now his life was in danger.
Boys and girls, stop here and answer these questions. Have the pleasures of sin attracted your eyes and led you into hidden danger, like Buffy? Have you turned away from the pleadings of God and the loving invitation of the Lord Jesus to come to Him? What seem to be harmless pleasures often can hold us prisoner. God’s Word says, “He, that being often reproved [warned] hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:11He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Proverbs 29:1).
Our story has a happy ending. Buffy’s frantic yelps were heard by three boys on their way home from school. Rushing to rescue him, they cut away the frozen fur and freed him from the tracks before the train came rushing by.
Are you willing to admit that sin has a tight hold on you? And are you willing to admit that you are helpless to do anything for yourself? It only takes one cry from your heart to the Lord Jesus and He will deliver you from the coming destruction that follows a life of sin. He is waiting for your call. “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).
ML-05/16/1993