We had just pitched our tents on the bank of the Hawash River when the sky grew dark and rain began to pour down. As often happens in Africa, the rain came down so hard and fast that the ground could not absorb it all. Soon there were many little puddles and streamlets joining together to swell the nearby stream which fed the Hawash River.
When the rain was just starting, a shepherd led his flock of sheep down to the edge of the stream and guided them quickly over to the other side. All but one lamb crossed over safely. This little lamb was enjoying the green grass near our tent and was left behind when the rest of the sheep crossed the stream.
Are you like that foolish little lamb? Perhaps your father and mother know the Lord Jesus as their Savior and are following Him. Maybe your brother is saved, or maybe the friend you sit next to in Sunday school belongs to the Lord Jesus. But, like the little lamb, you are still going your own way and not following the Lord Jesus Christ to safety.
As long as the rain was gentle and soft, the little lamb enjoyed munching away at the green grass all by itself. But soon the rain began to come down harder and harder, and then the lamb became frightened. It decided it wanted to join the other sheep. However, the rain had swollen the stream until it was now much too deep and fast for the lamb to cross over safely. The poor little lamb began to run up and down the bank of the stream, bleating in fear.
The shepherd missed his little lamb and waded back across the rushing stream to get his lamb. But the little lamb was frightened by the rain and the thunder, and every time the shepherd came close to it, the lamb ran away from him, bleating. It did not seem to understand that the shepherd was only trying to carry it to safety.
It was getting dark, and hyenas would soon be prowling around, looking for something to eat. The little lamb was in real danger.
Faithfully and lovingly the shepherd followed the lamb, calling and calling until at last he managed to catch it. Then, holding it on his shoulders out of reach of the rushing water, the shepherd carried it safely to the fold where the rest of the sheep were sheltered.
Won’t you let the Lord Jesus save you like the shepherd saved his lamb? Jesus loves you so much that He suffered and died on the cross so that you could be saved from the punishment for your sins. He said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd [gives] His life for the sheep” (John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)). He wants to forgive you now, and then to take you safely home to spend eternity with Him in heaven when your life here on earth is over. Won’t you come to Him right now? Like that faithful shepherd, He calls you to “come unto Me” (Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)). And He promises that He will never refuse anyone that comes to Him (see John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)). He tells you to come now because tomorrow may be too late. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)).
Messages of God’s Love 11/30/2025