MANY years ago, there was a boy employed by King George III. as under-groom in the Royal stables. A groom, dear children, is one who has the care of horses.
Something about the boy won his master’s favor, and the king treated him kindly in many ways. but a time of temptation came, and the poor boy fell into disgrace.
He had stolen some oats from the Royal bins, and being detected, was discharged. Not long afterwards, when the king again visited his stables, he noticed that the boy was absent, and asked one of the grooms what had become of him. The man, fearing to tell the truth, yet not liking to tell a falsehood, said he had left.
His majesty, suspecting something wrong, called the head groom to him and inquired again.
“I have discharged the boy, sire,” said he.
“For what reason?” asked the king.
“He was discovered stealing the oats from one of the bins, and I sent him away.”
The king ordered him to be sent for at once. The boy was brought and stood face to face with the king, a convicted thief. There he stood, trembling, not knowing what was before him.
“Is this true that I hear of you?”
The boy’s only answer to the kind inquiry, was a flood of tears. His mouth was stopped, for he knew he was guilty, and he stood condemned, without excuse.
“Well, my boy,” said the king, putting his hand kindly upon the boy’s head, “I forgive you.”
What words were these, dear boys and girls, for one who deserved punishment and prison! Then turning to the head groom, he said,
“Let this boy have his former place, and let him be cared for,” and as his majesty was leaving, he turned round, and in the hearing of the servants, said, “If any one says a word to you about those oats, tell me.”
This little incident, dear ones, brings before us the loving kindness and grace of God. By nature all are guilty before Him, but any boy or girl who comes to Jesus owning his or her guilt, and trusts wholly in His finished work, has “redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:1414In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14)), and has also the blessed assurance of God’s word,
ML 05/31/1925