SOME engineering works were being carried out, and a steam traveling-crane was used for hoisting gravel and other matter from the bed of a river. One morning the weight attached proved too heavy a load, causing the crane to overbalance, and fall into the river several feet below, and there it lay smashed to pieces.
The driver, who was standing on the platform at the time it fell, was warned by a fellow-workman shouting in eager tones, "Get off; she is going over." No second warning was needed. The young man, fully aware of his awful position, leaped off and landed safely, but "only just in time." A moment later, and he would no doubt have been killed.
Solemn thought—one moment more and eternity; but—where? Ask yourself the question, and answer it before God. Will you just turn with me for a few minutes to Ezek. 33, and notice how it commences: "And the word of the Lord came unto me.”
Mark its importance by the greatness and majesty of the One who speaks,-none other than Jehovah. He is speaking of a watchman, who is to be ready and waiting to sound a warning to the people on the approach of danger, and when he sees its approach he is to blow the trumpet and warn the people.
“Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take hint away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He HEARD the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul." (Verses 4 and 5.)
Have you ever thought of the awful and everlasting doom that awaits those who reject God's offers of divine mercy? Are you amongst the number who reject the Lord Jesus? if so, you are in danger of "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord." (2 Thess. 1:9)
You have heard the warning sound and yet refuse to heed it. What madness! Had the driver of the crane answered, "No, I am all right," you would have said, "What a fool the man must be;" and yet you are rejecting mercy and choosing death. Pause and think of the result. If unsaved, hell is your portion, for see what God says: "The soul that sinneth it shall die." (Ezek. 18:4.) "There is none righteous, no, not one." (Rom. 3:10) "The wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23.)
Thus, you see, in God's sight you are vile, unfit for His presence; for
"Naught that defileth can ever enter in.”
If you are relying on some flimsy cloak of your own righteousness, God must have it off, for nothing but an utter change of raiment can suit His holiness. God sees beneath the surface; He knows the heart.
Again I remind you that eternal judgment awaits you unless you are shielded by the blood of Jesus,— by Him who died on Calvary's cross, and met all God's demands and claims. He is the only way to God, so that you, a sinner, realizing your lost condition, and repentant, can come to God and claim forgiveness in virtue of Christ's death, for "Christ died for THE UNGODLY." (Rom. 5:6.)
Blessed be God, no sinner who has come to Him has ever been cast out. God can and will accept you, if only you come. Perhaps you say: "Oh, yes! someday I will come; but I want to enjoy the world a little longer, make a little more money, and then, of course, I shall settle down and think of better things." God's time is new, and only now. He promises no salvation for to- morrow. "Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2.)
Oh I come now, just as you are. To-morrow may be too late, and what then? The Bible says: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" (Heb. 2:3.) Ah! no escape, as one of old found. (See Luke 16:19-3119There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19‑31).)
I urge you at the present moment, whether young, middle-aged, or old, to come to Jesus now, for He said, "Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37.)
F. W. C.