I was like a lost sheep over the hedge, and all I could do was to cry, Baa! Baa!!"
Such was the comparison used by a north country-woman, in telling of the time when she learned her need as a sinner, perishing in her sins—her deep, deep need of a Savior.
Her cry was heard. Such cries are always heard. Directly a sinner owns thus the lost condition in which he is, the Savior is nigh to answer.
It was when Isaiah cried, "Woe is me! for I am undone," that the messenger of salvation flew to his succor.
Notice those two "shalls." One is the sinner's shall, the other the Savior's shall. Mark the freeness of the promise. How wide, how inclusive. Whosoever! whosoever! shall call. It takes in anyone, everyone, who, feeling his deep misery and need, turns from himself to his Lord. How simple too. The sinner is not told to work, to weep, it is not, Whosoever shall work, whosoever shall weep—but, Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord. Ah! be careful here. The call must be to the right person. No salvation is found in any other name but that of Jesus Christ the Lord. Not on the name of a saint or an angel must the repentant sinner call; it must be to the Lord Himself.
Now mark the Savior's shall. It is not, may be saved, but, shall be saved. Yes, blessed word, the resting-place of faith. He says it: I believe it. Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How well I remember the time when, in my own room, I owned I was lost.
"Lord save me, I cannot save myself," was my heart's prayer; and the answer came.
Reader, now is the time to call. Let the cry of distress be heard, and salvation shall be yours.