A Christian man became so occupied with this world that he almost forgot about the Lord Jesus. One day he started on a long trip from one village on the island where he lived to another. The day was hot; the path was rough. He had nothing to eat and nothing to drink, and he became tired. He had failed to prepare himself for his long journey.
Are you prepared for the journey through this world? Have you thought about your needs? The Bible says that the preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. (Prov. 16:11The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:1).) You must look to the Lord Jesus to be prepared for the journey of life.
Finally the man realized how desperately hungry and thirsty he was. In the next village he stopped at a little shop and asked the owner for some juice and a cake to eat, but the shopman said that he was sold out. So he continued on to the next shop, only to be told the same thing. But this shopkeeper, pointing on down the street at another shop, said, "I believe they will have something for you there."
The traveler headed that way, hungry, thirsty, and oh, so tired. As he entered the little shop a beautifully colored text hanging on the wall over the counter caught his eye. It said: Casting all your care upon Him [Jesus Christ]; for He careth for you.
He just stood there looking in astonishment at that message. Finally, he turned to the shopkeeper and asked him if he had juice and cakes. The man supplied them with a smile.
The traveler accepted the refreshments gratefully, but he felt ashamed as he continued to stare at the verse hanging on the wall. He knew he had neglected to prepare for the journey he was on, and as a Christian he had neglected to feed on the Word of God. For the Lord Jesus said: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.
He realized he had failed. The Lord Jesus had died for him, and yet his thoughts and desires had been directed only on this world. Three times he had sought refreshment on his trip, and the third time he found what he really had need of—the Lord. He realized that the Lord Jesus had been watching him all the time, and at last gently reminded him of His love and care.
In Psa. 11:44The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. (Psalm 11:4) we read that: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men. Anyone who has trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and Redeemer, can be sure that He is watching over him in love and protecting care every moment. But—the next verse adds: The wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth. No, there is no loving care promised to the wicked, even though we know that He is even kind unto the unthankful.