A child stands at his mother’s knee,
An apple in his hand,
But gone is all his usual glee,
In silence doth he stand.
“O mother!” is at last his cry,
“I wish that I could do
Something for that great God on high,
Who lives ‘bove heaven so blue.
“I know He loves me, mother dear,
He knows I love Him well;
My softest word He plain can hear,
Mine inmost thoughts can tell.
“But when I wish to pleasure you,
A kiss, a flower, I bring;
But God, who lives ‘bove heaven so blue
Hath all, hath everything.
“But I should like to give, you know,
The best thing I possess;
To Him who made you love me so,
Whose gifts so cheer and bless.”
Can you answer this dear child’s question? What can he give to God? Since God has made everything, He does not want us to bring anything we possess to Him for our acceptance. He has given us “life, and breath, and all things.” Acts 17:2525Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (Acts 17:25). There is one thing He asks for, however. He says, “My son, give Me thine heart.” Proverbs 23:2626My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. (Proverbs 23:26). Even though our hearts have been defiled by sin, He wants us, for He can cleanse away every sin in Christ’s precious blood. If He has our hearts He has all, for if we really love the Lord Jesus who died for us, we will want to please Him, but if not, our service, our works, and all our efforts are of no avail.
“Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come.”
ML 04/11/1954