Some years ago a young man named James, with two or three companions, was exploring the rocks,’ cliffs and caves on the seacoast and hunting for sea birds’ eggs.
James was an experienced climber, and as he was strong and fearless, he often led the others into places of great danger. As they climbed the rocks, the seagulls were flying around, uttering their shrill cries. At last, after scrambling along a very narrow ledge above a steep precipice, they came to a place where the tiny path had crumbled away. James did not hesitate to jump across the gap, and landing safely on the other side, he sat down on the ledge, and stretched out his hand to help his friends over. You can imagine his horror when the last of these failed to judge the distance right, and slipped down the space between. Fortunately in falling he had managed to catch hold of a tree stump or jutting piece of rock, and hung on by one hand. James lost no time in grasping him by his hand, which he could just reach, and managed to haul him up in safety to the narrow ledge, frightened but uninjured.
As soon as he had scrambled to his feet he seized James by the hand, and shook it warmly, saying, “Thank you for my life!” He realized how nearly he had lost his life by that one false step, and also that he owed his rescue to his strong friend who had risked his own safety by stooping down to save him.
I wonder, dear reader, have you ever thanked the Lord Jesus for stooping down to save you? Nay, more than stooping down, for in order that you might possess eternal life, the Son of God laid down His own precious life; He became the Sin-bearer for all those who believe in Him (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).)
We read in the Bible that it is God who “giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” (Acts 17:2525Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (Acts 17:25), Job 33:44The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. (Job 33:4).) This is true of all, but that is only the life of the body. Alas! even for this a great many people forget to thank God. I hope you are not among those who get up each morning and forget to thank God for His goodness to them, who ask for His care over them for the day; and yet go to bed night after night without thanking Him for watching over them, and for protecting their lives from the countless dangers which surround them daily.
So many forget how short this life is, and that at the end of it those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Saviour, will receive the wages for their lives of sin.
“The wages of sin is DEATH; but the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). Can you thank God for this gift of eternal life?
ML 06/25/1961