“See this handle, Jim? When you water the cows be sure to turn it just so far, and no further!” Jim’s dad spoke like he meant business, but he made no explanation. He hurried into the barn to tend to other chores leaving Jim to care for the cows.
The cows were jostling one another and sucking in the cold water thirstily. Cows sure could drink a lot! Jim was glad he didn’t have to pump water by hand for so many. He looked up at the windmill whirling in the wind and pumping steadily.
What would happen if he turned that handle on the windmill just a little further? Why hadn’t Dad explained? Well, the cows seemed to have had enough, and it was time to get them into the barn for milking.
A few days later Jim’s dad went to town leaving Jim and his brother to care for the chores until he got back.
“Say!” Jim thought to himself out loud, “Now’s my chance to find out what’ll happen if I turn that handle as far as I please. It can’t possibly do any harm, and Dad needn’t ever know about it.”
As the cows milled around the water tank Jim turned the handle as his dad had taught him. The cows began drinking noisily. There! He turned it on past the place his dad had told him—but nothing seemed to happen. The water just kept on pumping steadily.
When the cows turned away satisfied Jim turned the handle back in place to shut off the water. But the water kept on pumping in a steady stream. He pushed the handle down hard but the water kept coming. The tank was full now, and beginning to spill over the sides. The ground would soon be a muddy mess, and Jim knew how Dad hated that.
Jim shouted for his brother and the two worked desperately without success. Even Mother did not know what to do. There was nothing to do but wait for Dad to get home.
Jim watched with miserable eyes as the puddle around the tank spread out over the barnyard. When would Dad ever get home? Never had he so wanted, yet dreaded, his father’s coming.
Several hours went by giving Jim plenty of time to wish he had obeyed his father. Finally the familiar car turned in the lane. The car had hardly stopped before Jim’s dad was out of it and sprinting across the yard to the windmill. In a few moments the pumping had stopped, but what a mess! The whole barnyard seemed to be one great mud puddle.
Then the time of reckoning came. Jim had to face his father’s stern eye and confess what he had done, for he had no excuse to give. He knew that he deserved the whipping that followed.
Years went by and Jim learned that another far more important reckoning day is coming for those who have disobeyed their Heavenly Father. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:1212So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)).
Jim dreaded his father’s return the day of his disobedience. But in later years he learned of the coming of the Son of God whose Word he had disobeyed, and whose laws he had broken. How much greater then was his fear of facing the coming Savior!
When Jim learned that the Lord Jesus had already taken the punishment that he deserved so that he need not suffer for his sins himself, it was the best news he had ever heard in all his life! He gladly and thankfully received Christ as his Savior and now he can say, “Even so come, Lord Jesus!” Can you?