Or “The Still Small Voice.”
Tim was not his real name, but he was a real boy, full of life and mischief. Like most boys and girls, he went to day school, where the Scripture lessons were part of his education. He also went to Sunday School. Though under faithful teachers, who knew Jesus as their Saviour, Tim was so full of mischief that they felt almost hopeless of leading him to Jesus. One chapter in the New Testament seemed to be frequently brought up in the lessons in both schools, namely the tenth of John’s Gospel.
Some years rolled by, and then came the Great War. Tim had not long left school, and although too young, he made up his mind to join up, So, heedless of his mother’s anxious heart, he enlisted in the Naval Division, and was soon in the midst of the battle.
There came a time, hover, when, sick and weary of war; his young life aged, and his health weakened through his terrible experiences, young Tim, as he was nicknamed by his pals, most of whom were killed, was brought face to face with the great crisis of his life. News came from England, hundreds of miles away, of the death of his mother. What sorrow filled his heart! How he wished he had been a better boy! Then a letter came from a friend conveying sympathy and advising him to think of the tenth chapter of John, verses 27-29 “My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and none is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.”
In the letter, Tim was told to put his own name in the place of “my sheep,” “them,” and “they.” With a flood of memory came the “still small voice.” “My sheep hear My voice!” In the quietness of the arctic regions where he then was, on his way to Russia, Tim shut himself in with the Lord Jesus and yielded to Him Who is the Good Shepherd Who gave His life for the sheep.
Oh, what a load was lifted from Tim’s heart as he committed himself to the One Who died for him and Who gave him eternal life from that moment. Years have passed since then, but Tim, though oft a sinful sheep who needed the rod, can truly and joyfully sing:
“All the way my Saviour leads me,
Oh the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.”
Will my reader quietly take this true story to heart and put your name just where Tim did, and as the “still small voice” whispers to you, yield yourself to Jesus, Who loves you and gave Himself for you? Then, one day, you and Tim will meet in that home above, with Jesus.
Tim.