I wondered why the native carriers were putting their loads down right in the middle of the narrow African footpath. I moved to the front of the group to see. It was a honey bird, I was told. If they could keep up with it, the bird would lead them right to a bee hive in a hollow tree. We ran after the bird as it flew from tree to tree. Just as they said, it soon led us right to a tree with a large hive in its hollow trunk.
The natives soon had a smoky fire started in the base of the tree. The smoke made the bees come out of the hive. The honey combs were then gathered and eaten. But what about the honey bird? It waited while we had all the honey we could eat. Then it flew down after we left to clean up what we had dropped or couldn’t finish. It, too, had a feast!
The honey bird did not have to be taught how to find the bee hive, but it did need help to get the honey. It could not get it out of the tree by itself. God loves the sinner but not his sins. The only way that God could have us with Him is by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. Now because of His death we can enjoy the sweetness of God’s love forever. We read in Genesis, chapter 1, how God created the heavens and earth along with every living creature and also provided food for them. That Creator is the same One who died on Calvary’s cross to save us from our sins, so that we can be with Him for all eternity. It is “the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. NOW is the time to be saved. Tomorrow may be too late. “now is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.
ML-12/07/1980