ONCE when Queen Victoria and a friend were on a sea voyage they watched with interest the course of a small bird that hovered near the ship. The sea was calm, like a sheet of glass, and the little bird, seemingly wearied in its flight, sought to rest on the bosom of the great deep. But as soon as its feet touched the cold wet water it quickly flew off again.
Then it tried to land on the brightly colored silk flag but as the flag waved gently in the breeze it flew off again. Again it circled the flag and its cry of distress reached her Majesty’s ears. How she longed to save that little bird and begged the sailors to try and help the tiny creature, but the men’s efforts were in vain. The frightened little thing only flew away, first landing on the water, then on the flag again, until at last exhausted it came down on the deck.
Queen Victoria picked up the quivering little thing, smoothed its feathers, hoping she might help restore its strength, but it was of no avail. The bird died in her hand. It was beyond the aid of even the Queen of England. Untold wealth was at her ‘command, immense power under her control, yet there she sat pitying but powerless —
WILLING BUT NOT ABLE TO SAVE
It was only a little bird but the tender heart of England’s monarch was moved with pity as she thought of the little life lost in the struggle.
How that little bird makes us think of a soul that has wandered away from God — lost, weary, unable to find a resting place in this world. But there is One who is far more deeply concerned for your soul, dear reader, than the Queen of England was for that little bird. JESUS, the Son of God, the lover of your soul is both
WILLING AND ABLE TO SAVE
He loved you so much as to die for you. And He wants to be your resting place. Do not seek a resting place elsewhere for there is no rest in either heaven or earth outside of Christ. Let Him and His all atoning work be your only trust, then you shall have the joy known only to those whose sins are forgiven and in whose hearts the love of God has been shed abroad (Rom. 5:55And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5)).
ML-02/24/1974