In the midst of the northern Canadian forests, by the side of a lake, stands a government experimental station. On the other side of the lake, near the shore, years ago a large round tank was set in the water. Twice a day the weather man would come and check the water level in the tank and record the readings on a chart. In this way he kept track of the rise and fall of the level of the lake.
Looking down into the tank one day, I observed several mud turtles swimming around in the water. How they got there I do not know, but there did not seem to be any way for them to get out, and there was nothing for them to eat — they were prisoners.
One poor turtle especially drew out my pity, for he was smeared all over with thick black tar. How he got into the tar I do not know, but he was in a sad predicament. He could not get rid of the tar which weighed him down and hindered his getting about. Wherever he went he carried the burden of the tar with him. When he looked up at me he seemed to have such a sad expression in his eyes. Poor fellow! How I wished that I could have lifted him out of his prison, then got some solvent or cleaner that would get rid of the tar, and set him free to swim once more in the clear waters of the broad lake. But he and his fellow prisoners were too far down for me to reach, and unless rescued by some hand from above I thought they must eventually die in the tank.
I have often thought of that poor mud turtle. He reminded me of the sinner, weighed down with the load of his sins, a load which can only get heavier as the days go by. Bides he is a prisoner of Satan in this world, shut up for judgment. Wherever he goes he carries the load of his sins with him; he cannot get rid of his burden, which by and by must surely carry him down to death and eternal doom.
But in heaven there is a Saviour who looks down with pitying love upon poor sinners,
“A Saviour as able to save now as ever,
His arm is not shortened, His love great and free.”
“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:11Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (Isaiah 59:1). The Lord Jesus is the Friend of sinners, and wherever there is faith to look up and trust Him, to cry, “Lord, save me,” all His mighty power is present to rescue and to bless.
Once I was in the sinner’s place, deep down in the pit, weighed down with my sins. The Lord heard my cry. “He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters.” Psalms 18:1616He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. (Psalm 18:16).
Yet it cost the Lord Jesus His life to rescue sinners and to provide this great salvation. No sinner can get rid of his sins, any more than the turtle could get rid of his tar. There is only one thing in heaven and earth that can take away sin from before a holy God, and that is the blood of Jesus. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).
Why ‘neath the load of your sins do ye toil?
Christ giveth rest.
Why be in slavery, why Satan’s spoil?
You may be blest.
Christ now invites you sweet rest to receive,
Heavy’s your burden, but He can relieve;
If but this moment in Him you believe,
You shall have rest.
Why go ye onward, so weary and worn?
Christ giveth rest.
Why are ye hopelessly sad and forlorn?
You may be blest.
Jesus the burden did bear on the tree,
He was afflicted for sinners like thee;
If you there Christ as your Substitute see,
You shall have rest.
ML 04/07/1968