(Continued from last week)
THUS the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep, had now found His little lost lamb, and was saying, “Rejoice with Me for I have found My sheep which was lost,” Luke 15:66And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (Luke 15:6).
Some time after this Frank was taken very ill, and soon it became apparent that the Good Shepherd was going to take His little lamb home. As he lay on his little bed, his parents sat watching beside him, heartbroken to know that soon they must part with their one great treasure.
Presently the little fellow turned to his father, and in his little feeble voice said, “Father, do you love me?”
Surprised at such a question, his tether answered, “My boy, how can you ask me such a thing? you know you are the pride and joy of my heart.”
“Mother,” said the dying child, “do you love me?”
“My darling,” she said, “you know that I do, and that you are everything to me.” She then broke out into uncontrollable grief.
“If you really loved me,” said the dying child, “how was it that you never told me about God and Jesus Christ, and that you did not want me to know that Jesus died for me? I do not know how you could have really loved me and yet not wanted me to know about Jesus.”
His poor parents were quite broken down and wept bitterly. Though in great weakness, the dear child then pointed them to the blessed Saviour, who had sought and found him, and who despite their long rejection, was able and willing to save them. Soon after the Lord Jesus took him home, “And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise?” Matt. 21:1616And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? (Matthew 21:16).
The words of their little child were used to the blessing of both the parents, and they too learned to put their simple trust in the Lord Jesus and were saved.
Does not this story of little Frank show us how God works out His own purposes of blessing, however difficult it may appear, and how He honors those who trust Him, and leave Him to open the way as He chooses?
I would say here also that if any dear child who may read this story is longing to know that his sins are forgiven, the Good Shepherd is seeking you, wanting to save you, and if you will only put your simple trust in Him, believing that He died upon the cross, bearing all the punishment for your sins there, God tells you that you are saved. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt, be saved,” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
ML-11/20/1960