While fishing for trout along the banks of a small river, a fisherman noticed a beautiful butterfly struggling and fluttering in the water, as it was being carried along by the slow moving current.
As it was well within reach of his rod, the fisherman, wishing to rescue it from its dangerous plight, extended his rod out towards the butterfly, in such a manner as to bring the tip of the rod under the struggling insect, and lifting it gently out of the water he began to draw it towards the shore. However, as soon as the butterfly felt itself drawn out of the water, it attempted to fly ashore by its own strength, but exhausted as it was by its struggles and weighted no doubt by drops of water on its wings, it could only fly a very short distance, when down it went into the water again.
Once more the fisherman placed the tip of his rod under it, and lifted it out, and again the butterfly attempted to fly ashore, with the same result—back into the water it fell!
The third time this happened, there was a sudden swirl, and a hungry trout seized and devoured the fluttering insect and ended the incident.
How very much this foolish insect reminds us of many human beings,—men and women, who are carried along by the current of time, with death on every side of them, and an inevitable judgment before them, and no means of escape by any efforts they may make.
A hopeless situation indeed, no matter how much of their "best" effort they may put forth; for there is no strength in them, and the more they struggle, the more hopeless their situation becomes.
But, a way of escape has been, and is being extended to them and a power infinitely greater than their own, is able, and willing to save them from their dangerous and desperate situation, if they will only turn to Him and cease their own useless efforts.
"When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
Here we have the reality, of which the little incident related above is merely an illustration. As you are borne along, my unsaved friend, on the passing waters of time, and you realize your condition, and the unknown destiny before you, do you not seek some way of escape? Surely you do, but you soon find that your best efforts are of no avail, and do what you may, you sooner or later have the truth of that dread statement brought before you.
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27). And you find you can do nothing to avoid it.
But, thanks be to God, He has seen and thoroughly understands your great peril, and in His love and grace has extended to you, a sure and certain means of escape, and all you need to do is to accept it, and in simple, confiding faith, leave the question of "doing" to Him, when you will soon realize that all has been "done", and that, long ago on Calvary's cross, where the blood of God's own Son, was shed for you, and when you come under the shelter of that precious blood, God can say in righteousness, "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Heb. 8:1212For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 8:12).