ONE day at noon, the boys of a certain school were amusing themselves in a game of ball, when one of them sent the ball through one of the windows of the schoolhouse. The teacher, on returning from dinner, saw at once what had happened, and, after school was called, drew the children’s attention to the broken window, and said, “Will the boy who broke the window please hold up his hand?”
They hardly expected such a question, and not a hand moved. Again the question was asked, but no hand stirred. Firmly and lovingly the teacher repeated the question for the third time, “Will the boy who broke the window please hold up his hand?”
Not far from the teacher’s desk stood a small boy whose hand began slowly to move. It was a hard struggle for the little fellow, but at length up went the hand, thus owning before all his schoolmates that he had broken the window.
Now, dear children, do you suppose the teacher could punish that boy? True, he had done wrong in breaking the window, but he was honest and confessed it. The window had to be repaired, and it cost something to do it; but the little boy was forgiven, and the teacher ever afterwards loved him for his uprightness.
My dear readers, young and old, is not this just what God expects of you? You have sinned, broken God’s law, come short of His Glory, and are guilty. Listen to this from Job 33:27, 28.
“God looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned... He will deliver his soul from going into the pit.”
God is looking to see who will confess his sin to Him. He has given His blessed Son to die for us on the cross, such was His love to us.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 28:13.
Just as the teacher was glad when the little boy held up his hand, so God is glad when any one, young or old, confesses to Him that they have sinned, and are unable to save themselves. Then they are ready to accept the Lord Jesus who alone is able and willing to save them from the dreadful results of all their sins—being shut out from the presence of God Forever—lost, eternally lost.
Have you, dear reader, held up your hand to God? Have you told all to Him, and that you are unable to save yourself? If not, we entreat you not to put it off. Tell Him so this very hour. He will save you, and cause your heart to rejoice in a present and an eternal forgiveness, through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, His Son.
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10.
ML-08/01/1920