NOT long ago I was at a small town by the seaside. While on the beach there, I saw a tiny child bathing. She was evidently very much afraid of the water, and was crying, when her nurse asked me to hold her hand, to which I readily, assented; and taking off my shoes and stockings, I led her to the water, and held her firmly by the hand. She no longer seemed afraid, but began to laugh and smile. Now, why was this? Because she trusted to me; she knew that I would not let her slip. But I have only used this little illustration, dear reader, because I wish to point you to someone who is far worthier of your trust than I was of that child’s. It is Jesus, the mighty to save; and He wishes you just to put your trust in Him, and He will save you from hell. Yes, Jesus is ever willing and ready to save poor lost sinners; for He says, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10).)
And will you not trust Him? The dying thief trusted Him, and was saved even at the eleventh hour.
“Oh, turn ye! oh, turn ye! for why will ye die,
When God in His mercy is coming so nigh?”
Do trust Him. He is ready to save you, waiting to save you, almighty to save you. Not one who ever trusted Him was turned away. Even Saul of Tarsus, the chief of sinners, trusted in Jesus and was saved. The blood of Jesus was shed on that awful cross. He suffered all God’s righteous ire on account of our innumerable sins. He lay three days in the dark, cold grave; but He was raised up from the dead, and is exalted to God’s right hand, in proof that all the work is done, and it only remains for you to trust Him. In trusting Him, you set the seal to your own salvation. He will never cast you off, if you trust in Him; for He says (and surely His word is enough), “Him that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out.” What a glorious declaration! Even though your sins be as scarlet, if you believe on Jesus, and come to Him, you are His forever. And I can say of Him, to any who have really trusted Him with all their soul, that
“That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
He’ll never; no, never; no, never forsake.”
And then do not keep the glorious news of such a salvation to yourself. Tell it to others. Tell them that if they thirst, Jesus is the Water of life; if they hunger, He is the Bread of life; and, above all, that He is the Life, and that He says to all who trust Him, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
S. S. B. G.