Grandfather Eliot was a farmer on the western prairie in the early 1900's. Farmers worked very hard then, too, and even though Grandfather was getting old he still liked to help out with the farm work. He liked to have a little nap every day at noontime. This was about the only time he admitted he was getting old. The habit of a noon nap almost cost him his life one day.
Grandfather was alone on the farm one cold winter day. He came in at noon and put a kettle of water on the old wood stove. How good a cup of tea would taste! He was tired, so he took off his shoes and laid down for a few minutes to wait for the water to boil. But, he fell fast asleep.
We know that no one reading this story is asleep or you could not be reading, but are you fast asleep as to your need of a Saviour? Are you fast asleep as to the dangers of sin? Romans 13:1111And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:11) tells us that it is time to awake out of sleep—it is time to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour.
All of a sudden Grandfather wakened to the noise of crackling flames and the house filled with smoke! On the table by his bed was one thing he prized—a clock that chimed every half hour. The clock was all he could save from the burning house. What a sad sight Grandfather was, standing in his stocking feet with his clock under his arm!
How thankful everyone was that Grandfather did waken in time, and that he was able to save his clock. It might sound foolish that he was concerned about a clock when he could easily have been burned in the house. But there are many people today who are concerned about so many things—things that might keep them from accepting the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. “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). We know there is a day coming when those who have not accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour will be cast into the lake of fire (see Rev. 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)). Grandfather escaped from the burning house, but there will be no escape from the lake of fire for anyone who is not saved.
Pioneers were very friendly people, so I’m sure Grandfather was soon taken to someone’s home—someone who loved him and would care for him. We, who trust the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, know that He will soon return to take us to heaven to be with Himself. “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself.” John 14:33And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3).
ML-11/29/1981