I was told by a friend who had returned from a foreign land, where he has long lived, that the elephant is most careful to ascertain, whether that on which he treads, is safe footing. For example, in crossing a bridge which has only been built for men, he will first test its strength, before committing himself to it. This he does, by placing his trunk and one of his feet upon it first. If he finds it strong enough, he then trusts himself to it, and passes over to the other side.
If you or I saw that huge elephant pass across the bridge safely, I think we would have no hesitation, in trusting ourselves to it. We would naturally say, —if the bridge has carried that great animal safely across, it will surely be strong enough to sustain us.
This is how it was with one who was anxious to pass from death unto life, and out of the country where Satan rules, into the kingdom of God’s Son, but was afraid that the bridge would not carry him safely over: in other words, he was afraid to trust himself at once, to the Lord Jesus. Reading one day, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy. 1:15), he found that Christ had already saved Paul, “the chief of sinners,” and taken him safely to heaven.
“Then surely He can save me. If the greatest of all sinners has been saved by Him, I may trust Him for my salvation also,” said he. And he did trust himself to that wonderful Bridge of Salvation, and was immediately saved.
Great elephantine sinners have already trusted Him. Do not be afraid to commit yourself to Him but believe on Him and His Word and you will prove His promise true, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
ML April 12th 1931