THE CHILDREN'S SAFETY

The safety of the soul of every man, woman and child is of vital importance in the sight of our Saviour God. Hence, He causes the gospel to be preached urgently far and wide. Peter in his preaching spoke of the name of Jesus as a name by which we must be saved. In some respects the glad tidings may be likened to a lifeboat. Many such have set out in stormy weather to the aid of ships wrecked on the Goodwin Sands or some dangerous or rocky coast. The lifeboatmen would not just announce to the stricken sailors that they had brought a very nice lifeboat and invite them to consider it. They would urge them to jump in as quickly as possible! Once inside the lifeboat the saved mariners would find how wonderfully their every need had been provided for. So the gospel is not just a means of escape from danger, but is the "glad tidings of the glory of the blessed God".

In the blessing of Benjamin by Moses it is said "The beloved of the Lord, shall dwell in safety by him". An unbeliever once asked how this could be reconciled with Jacob's blessing which says "Benjamin – as a wolf will he tear to pieces... the prey". The quick answer was that Saul of Tarsus of that very tribe of Benjamin had, when unconverted, ravaged the Lord's people. After his conversion, however, they were able to dwell in safety by him. We too may be preserved in the testimony of our Lord and the enjoyment of life eternal by keeping close to the ministry of Paul.

To confess the name of the Lord Jesus is a means of protection to believers, be it at school, at business or in the course of ordinary home life. The wisest of men said that the name of the Lord is "a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe". How different this tower is from the first one mentioned in the Bible which only led to the severe judgment of God and the confusion of tongues. Even so the Bible in every language has, I believe, the word "Abba", meaning "Father". Do you know God as Father?

J.C.Evershed