CHILDREN AND PRESENTS

The giving and receiving of gifts on various occasions is a well-known custom. You will remember reading of Paul's shipwreck upon the island of Malta. There would probably be no children or young people in the ship's company, but I have often thought that amongst the inhabitants of the island there would be many such who would do their utmost to help the seafarers. Paul records that when the strange and mixed company again took ship to continue their voyage "the inhabitants made presents to us of what should minister to our wants". Try to think of what things you would give! A present is a mark of love between giver and receiver, and this incident shows how quickly the love of God can produce mutual affections. No doubt heaven saw to it that the islanders were well rewarded for their generosity.

Probably our prayers concern very largely blessings for ourselves and other people. There is need, however, for us to give something to God Himself, such as thanksgiving, praise and communion. In chapter 43 of Isaiah, where God celebrates all that He had done for His people, He had to say that they had given Him nothing in return. He even said "Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money". This would be like what we used to call a farthing sugar-stick! Nevertheless, as a faithful Saviour-God, He would still blot out their sins, looking forward to the atoning work of the Lord Jesus.

Gideon, though a poor young man, was able to bring to God a rich "present". God even agreed to wait some time whilst it was being prepared. You will remember that he had been threshing wheat in a wine-press because of God's enemies who were robbing the land. What he presented was a kid of the goats prepared as food, and with it cakes from an ephah - a large quantity - of flour. The whole present was divinely accepted. It suggests to us the sacrifice and the personal worth of the Lord Jesus, and it proved to be the beginning of salvation for the people. Gideon is an example to us in that he thought of giving what was due to God before his own need. Do we think that way?

J.C.Evershed