When I was a boy I lived in a small, west Texas community of families living near the oil refinery where our dads worked. As in most neighborhoods, there were some rowdy boys in this little group of families. Because of their bad language and bad behavior, we were not allowed to play with the boys in the Young family. Our parents knew that they were a bad influence on us.
Dad and Mother had trusted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and they wanted us to believe on Him and love Him as they did. They believed and followed what the Bible says in Proverbs 22:66Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6): “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
There was pasture land not too far from our little community. During occasional heavy rains, there was one place where water rushing down a hill had washed out a deep ditch. We called this “the canyon.” There was also a little creek that twisted and turned through this pasture land. It was not fed by springs, so there was only a trickle of water most of the time. About all we could do was get muddy and dirty if we played there. Like many sinful things in the world that Satan makes so appealing, the canyon and the creek were real attractions to us boys as places to play. And one day, Les, my younger brother, and I disobeyed our parents and went with the Young boys to play in the canyon.
The cut in the hillside we called the canyon was not a part of the creek. It was higher and a little distance from the flat area we called the creek bottom. As we were playing on the upper ledge of the canyon, we caught sight of our dad walking along the creek. Les and I knew he was looking for us, and we could tell by the determined way he walked that we were in trouble. We had been caught in our disobedience, just like the Bible verse says: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 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).
Since Dad hadn’t seen me yet, I decided to run home. Les continued to play until Dad found him. Dad gave him a pretty good whipping right there in the pasture. As I continued my run to the house, I heard Dad whistle. I knew then he must have seen me running from him and knew by his whistle that he was calling me. Looking back though, I could not see him so I continued my run to the house. I was going to act as though I had done nothing wrong, hoping to avoid punishment.
I was beginning to think I had escaped, because when Dad got back to the house he did not say anything to me about my disobeying him or my running from him. He went on with some chores at home for a while. This gave me a false feeling of safety, even though I knew Dad always punished disobedience. However, Dad later called me in to give an account of what I had done. My heart sank at the thought of having to answer to Dad for my disobedience. Dad had not forgotten and I was punished, not only for disobeying, but also for running away from him.
Boys and girls, I was completely wrong when I thought I was getting away with my disobedience. It is a reminder of the way God deals with every one of us. Each of us has been disobedient and done things that make us guilty. And God does not forget our sins. The Bible says “there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:2020For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. (Ecclesiastes 7:20). He has called to each one many times, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28). He is not calling you to punish you for your sins, as Dad was calling me. God calls to you so that you may accept His Son, the Lord Jesus, as your Substitute and have all your sins washed away through His precious blood. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).
Dad delayed my punishment for a little while, but I ended up getting what I deserved. The Lord Jesus is waiting in grace and mercy for you to hear His call and receive Him as your Saviour. He does not want you to have to be punished. He died on the cross, bearing the punishment for the sins of every person who will come to Him for forgiveness. But if you continue to run away in disobedience, as I ran from Dad, the time will come when you must give an account to God for not listening to the call of the Lord Jesus. Won’t you respond to His love and grace now? He loves you and wants you to take Him at His word, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37). Why not do that right now! “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-07/25/1993