Kittens! Who does not love them? Certainly boys and girls do. Our kitten story took place on a farm where kittens were often seen tumbling about in the barn. Daddy had remarked that morning in the children’s hearing, “I think Tabby might have a nest of kittens up in the hayloft.” Naturally, when Ned and Polly were free they climbed right straight up the hayloft to see. They could hear Tabby’s cozy “pr-ow” as she “talked” to her babies. Very small answering mews indicated that Daddy had been right—there were kittens here somewhere in the hayloft.
“But it’s so dark!” little five-year-old Polly complained, “and Tabby’s way far back. I wanna see ’em, Ned.”
Now Ned was only six, but he thought seriously as to how they could get to see the kittens. “Wait, Polly! I’ve got matches in my pocket. I’ll strike one and then you can see.”
“Oooh, no, Ned! Mamma said you should never, ever take matches! Maybe I’ll tell Mamma.”
“You dare and I’ll — I’ll never show you the kittens!”
So naughty Ned struck a match and carefully directed its light into the little tunnel Tabby had made. But somehow in the excitement, well, need I tell you the sad story? Within moments the loft was ablaze. Ned and Polly tumbled back and half fell down the ladder, clothing torn and singed. Poor Daddy’s nice barn — all the hard-worked-for hay, harnesses for the horses — all, including dear old Tabby cat with her babies, were tragically swept up in the flames. All because of disobedience.
Now, when God instructs children in Ephesians 6:11Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (Ephesians 6:1) to obey their parents, it is true wisdom. It is not a tiresome rule designed to take the fun out of life. God knows all about children and takes great care that they might have the protection they need. But His goodness goes much further. He wants to draw us with cords of love to His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 6:37,4437All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)
44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)) that we might be forever happy in His own beautiful house called heaven. If you say “No” to Him because, like Ned, you want your own way, there is fire reserved for you — the everlasting flames of hell. We learn more about hell from the lips of the Lord Jesus Himself — He who suffered the awful punishment for the sins of those who would accept Him as their Saviour so that they might never feel a single flame. Because God is holy never accuse Him of being unfair or cruel for sending rebellious sinners to those flames. What more could God do for you and me than to give His own Son to be our substitute? He will not permit anyone to scorn His gift. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3). “Believe on Him [God] who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offenses [sin] and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:24,2524But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:24‑25).
ML-01/13/1985