IT IS such a lovely afternoon that little Tommy has been tempted to do something very naughty. He lives near this stream and so knows just where he can lie in the sunshine and watch the tiny fish as they jump about in the clear water. He seems to be having a good time, and he had thought this would be far more fun than going back to school, but now way down in his heart he is very unhappy. He realizes now that he has deceived his parents, and he knows he will be punished both by them and by his school teacher when his disobedience is found out.
You are very glad that you are not Tommy, are you not? What a foolish boy to choose a good time in such a wrong way, and one which can last for such a few hours.
Does this not make us think of the people all around us today, who are so eager for the pleasures of this world, which are but for a moment, that they care to hear nothing about Jesus? They know this life is uncertain and that their good times may be ended any day, yet they go on and have their own way, surely knowing that punishment will follow. God wants us to listen now to His Word and to His Son, Jesus. He says, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED; HEAR YE HIM.” Matthew 7: 5. “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart. “Heb. 3:8.
It is a very sad thing to know that you are doing wrong, and then to continue in it. Take Jesus as your Saviour while you are a child, and then seek to live for Him. He loves His own dearly and will keep them from doing evil, if they only depend upon Him each day for this. “He will keep the feet of His saints.” (1 Sam. 2:9.)
ML 06/30/1912