THE CHILDREN'S JOURNEY

A century or so ago the carriages of trains running at night would have very little lighting, in fact usually none at all! At the last stopping-place before the terminus the lamp of the guard, then called the conductor, would be seen glimmering from one compartment to another to ensure that the passengers had a right to proceed to the train's destination. The light of the lamp was shone - not on the faces of the passengers themselves, rich or poor, shabby or noble - but on the tickets held out to the conductor. These would be evidence of their right to reach the place of their desire and intention.

Perhaps this moment is an important stoppingplace, as it were, for some boy or girl on life's journey and who may be also in the dark as to his or her soul. The searching light of the Scriptures shines brightly upon you so that by obedience to God's word you should have the right to be at the heavenly destination. It is the will of God that "every one, whosoever, who shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved".

Preachers used sometimes to speak of the Lord Jesus Christ being the Passport to glory although it was not a very happy way of presenting the glad tidings of the Saviour's love and work. What was meant was that the individual traveller on life's journey had not in himself the right of access to heavenly places. Most assuredly this is the case, whoever it may be, for "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God". But our right to mercy and to be righteously in His presence are evidenced by the finished work of Christ and His shed blood. Are you trusting in these?

J.C.Evershed