The battle was over; and as night came on a soldier still lay there wounded on the battlefield. Around him there were others, his comrades, who had fallen in the struggle. He himself was weak from the loss of blood and he feared his end was near. In his extremity he cried out: "I am dying—dying! And I am not ready to go.”
The conviction had forced itself upon him that he was not fit to meet God. What could he do? Where could he look for help?
Then there came before his mind the days of his childhood and of the gospel preachings to which he used to go with his mother. He seemed to hear once again the story of the grace of God as it had been pictured in the parable of the good Shepherd seeking the one lost sheep among the mountains wild and barren. How happily the Shepherd had brought back to the fold his wandering sheep!
Then the scene changed and he was in his childhood home. He saw himself praying, as a little child:
"Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me!
Bless Thy little lamb tonight;
In the darkness be Thou near me,
Keep me safe till morning light.”
Lonely on that stricken field, he began to repeat the words again. But then came thoughts of the intervening years of forgetfulness of God and of his wandering in paths of folly and sin. The cry escaped him: "I am not His little lamb.. I am a great big black sheep—a vile black sheep.”
Here was his confession of sin. He was repentant and helpless. Who could meet his deep need? His heart turned to the Savior and he prayed: "O Shepherd, come—find me, save me, the great big black sheep.”
Such cries are ever heeded, for God has promised: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." Psa. 50:15. With a sense of peace filling his soul the wounded man sank into unconsciousness. Ere long he was picked up, carried to a hospital, and in a few weeks was in the arms of his dear mother. Her heart rejoiced to hear the story of the lost one who had been found by the Savior she had loved so long.
Dear one, have you seen yourself as a vile black sheep needing to be saved? Have you cried, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep"? Have you longed to find yourself in the care of the good Shepherd? If not, turn to Him now. He is at hand to deliver and bless.
"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." John 10:11.