Or, the Mirage of the Desert
Tell us a story of the war, was a very common request of the colonel’s grandchildren, as they climbed upon his knees, and stroked his long gray beard. He had been in many dangers, and had proved the Lord’s delivering hand, even in his unconverted days, when as a dashing young officer, he delighted in the roars of the cannon, and the clash of swords. After God saved him, he saw things in a new light, and sought to spread abroad the name of Jesus while serving his country.
“I’ll tell you a short story tonight, my boys, which I would like you to remember, and in order to keep it in your minds, I want you first to learn and repeat a nice text from God’s own Word. You will see the connection when you hear my story. The text is this,
“Now for my story. When I was out in foreign service, we were on a long march through the desert. Our supply of water was completely finished, and we were all very thirsty. Some of the soldiers were actually sucking the sand, wherever they saw a little moisture, in hope of finding water. Day after day passed, and we began to fear that many would die for want of water.
We had been told of certain “pools” somewhere about the line of our march, and we hoped every hour to reach them. At last one of the officers gave the cheering signal of water within sight, and we strained our eyes to catch the first glimpse of it. We thought it would be the “pools,” but to our amazement a beautiful lake appeared in the distance, with palm trees growing luxuriantly around its edge. The thirsty soldiers could not restrain their delight, but burst into a song. But alas, the lake turned out to be a mirage of the desert.
A mirage is a picture thrown upon the desert from the clouds above it. It all has the appearance of real water, but it is only a shadow. How disappointed we were Our tongues seemed to cleave to our mouths, as we found that the mirage had deceived us.
I learned a lesson that day, my dear boys, that I shall never forget. Fair appearances often deceive. The world’s pleasures, its honors, its wealth, are like that mirage in the desert. They promise much, but give nothing to satisfy.
Just as we were preparing to camp for the night, without any appearance or display whatever, we suddenly came upon a river of beautiful clear water, O joyful sight! And all free, without money and without price. Never before did I enjoy a drink of water as I did that evening. The men knelt down and drank their fill, and our camp that night was a scene of gladness. We valued the water because we were thirsty.
And now, my dear boys, for the lesson. We are all in a thirsty desert. This world has nothing to satisfy. Its fair promises are like the mirage. But the blessed gospel flows like a river, giving life and joy and peace. Best of all, it is free, and the invitation of God is,
The boys listened attentively to their grandfather’s story, and they will not soon forget the meaning of that “mirage of the desert.” Dear boys and girls, there is nothing to satisfy in the world. You must come to Jesus, and receive Him, in order to have life and peace.
ML 02/09/1936