I WAS standing at my window one morning when I heard a loud buzzing noise. Looking around to see where it came from, I saw a very excited honey bee caught in a spider’s web, The web was large and the threads were strong, and as I watched, the spider crept out of his den in the dark corner and made for the bee. I think the poor bee saw him corning for his struggles were terrible to see. But the more he twisted himself about to escape, the closer he wound the fine web about him.
This poor bee was one that had spent his life in gathering honey from the flowers — a busy, useful little fellow, but alas, he was now fast in a snare! How was he to get out? Could his own efforts save him? No! Very soon the spider would have bitten him, and sucked out his lifeblood. Then he would have wound him up and dragged him into his den, had I not arrived on the scene in time.
The bee had beautiful shiny wings, but they were caught in the web and he could not us them. However, he did more than struggle — he buzzed very loudly, and his cry of terror reached my ear and touched my heart; it drew me to his desperate need. Should he be sucked to death there, and I not save him? No! Though he should sting me in his terror, still I would set him free. When the spider saw me move, he stopped just an inch or so from his prey; but when my hand broke up his gossemer web, he fled back to his den. Just a touch of my hand, and the poor prisoner was free again. In a moment he was winging his way back to his hive and back to his friends who would soon clear away the bits of web that still hung about him.
That poor bee made me think of poor sinners caught in the web of sin that Satan has spun to catch them. There is only One who can deliver from the chains of sin and from the power of Satan, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ who came into this world to save sinners. Satan has captured countless millions and is dragging them down to death and hell, but the Lord Jesus has gone to Calvary’s cross and died, “that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Heb. 2:14, 1514Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14‑15).
Dear young friend, I ask you, Do you feel wretched and sad, guilty and afraid to meet God because of your sins? Then cease your struggles and let your cry go up in faith to that Saviour who alone is able but willing to save you. David could say, “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.” Psa. 120:11<<A Song of degrees.>> In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. (Psalm 120:1).
ML-06/26/1960