WHEN I was a boy, an old man frequently visited our village. At one time he had been in a prosperous way, but, becoming a slave to strong drink, he had lost a small fortune and with it many of his friends. Like the prodigal mentioned in the 15th chapter of Luke’s Gospel, when he spent his all in riotous living, he was forsaken, and disowned.
One day when this old man was walking along one of the streets of the village in a disconsolate mood, he was muttering to himself, “Nobody loves me! Nobody loves me!” A little girl who had been to Sunday school, and who had heard of the love of God, quietly stole up to him, and rather nervously pulling at the tail of his jacket said—“Yes, sir, somebody loves you: God loves you.”
Eternity will alone reveal the effect of this word “spoken in season.”
Did God really love this poor old man, broken and marred by sin? Most certainly, for does not John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) say, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
CHILDREN of Jerusalem
Sang the praise of Jesu’s name,
Children, too, of modern days
Join to sing the Saviour’s praise.
We are taught to love the Lord,
We are taught to read His Word,
We are taught the way to heaven;
Praise for all to God be given.
Parents, teachers; old and young,
All unite to swell the song;
Higher and yet higher rise,
Till hosannas reach the skies.
ML-05/11/1969