Jimmy might have been a very lonely boy on the day of which I am telling you. But although his parents were dead, he was not left alone. A kind farmer and his wife cared for him lovingly, and on this particular day, they had given him many presents.
There were toys and games to please a small boy, and among them was one rather strange present. It was an ax, a real shiny one with a keen edge,
Timmy laid his toys aside. The bestest present I've got," he said delightedly, "is my new ax."
Before I tell you more about Jimmy, do you know, that shiny ax reminds me of a new, leather-covered Bible? Many a little fellow carries his Bible happily to meeting, but the Bible is not a toy. It is "sharper than any two-edged sword," and it is meant to be used! I have seen children playing Sunday school, and saying verses for fun, but the Bible is not for fun. The Word of God is living and powerful, and we pray indeed that you little ones, who are ready enough to say the Bible is the best book, may learn its real power, to the saving of your lost little soul.
Jimmy knew that his ax was meant to be used, and so the farmer gave him a little advice. "Do you see that cedar bush over there?" said he.
"I need that space for a pasture. You may go and try your skill on the cedar trees."
Jimmie was only a little fellow but his heart was in the work, and he really made the chips fly.
As time went on, .Jimmie grew, and became an expert woodsman, quite skilled and very useful. He used his ax well, didn't he?
Dear children, are you using your Bible? It is hard to understand in places, but God gives wisdom, even to babes. When the Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart" (Proverbs 3:55Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)), you can trust Him, even before you can read. You can come, as a poor, sinful child, and He will save you, because the work of redemption was finished on Calvary's cross.
But most of you can read. Then your Bible is the sword of the Spirit to make Satan flee from you, and to overcome the world and the flesh too. Are you using this sword which God has given to you?
"Read your Bible, pray every day, And you'll grow, grow, grow."
Just one word more. Jimmy might killed himself with his ax, but an obedient boy, and the Lord 1Iis mercy preserved him. There are, alas, many who are handling the Word of God deceitfully (2 Cor. 4:22But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)), and are on their way to eternal judgment. They take a verse here and there out of its connection and use it even to deny the eternal Godhead. God has promised that "If any man will do His will, He slin11 know of the doctrine" (John 7:1717If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17)), but those who use God's Word in self-will, do so to their own destruction.
Messages of the Love of God 5/18/1952