THE CHILDREN SAFE AND SAVED

Jewish ancient history relates that on the first Passover night a little girl, eldest child of the family, was anxious and sleepless because she feared that the blood of the Passover lamb had not been put on the doorposts and lintel of the house where she was. At length, shortly before midnight, it was discovered that the sprinkling of the blood had been left to a servant who in fact had not carried it out. But there was just time to be safe from danger! An incident like this teaches us the importance of being quite sure of having God's own protection from His righteous judgment against sins. There is now nothing outward to be done, but a believing child, however anxious, may know that by faith in the shed blood of Jesus there is perfect and eternal safety.

Not only, however, do we as children or as grown-ups feel the need of being safe from judgment but also of being saved for God's will and pleasure. For the children of Israel that meant their leaving at once and for ever the place of hard bondage and judgment. By faith they passed - babes in arms, children and older persons - between the high water-walls of the Red Sea, on dry land but against a strong east wind. We too by being true to our baptism come by faith into a new life of freedom but we feel deeply in our spirits what death really was to Jesus to make a way for us.

God Himself is even more concerned than we are on our account. He "is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance". In His wisdom therefore He works in our souls to make us aware of our need and seize the provision that He has made for us. I remember being much impressed with this when first travelling in an aeroplane about thirty years ago. Immediately on boarding there was a red light warning us to fasten seatbelts for safety. That is like the conscience - has a red light ever come up in yours to warn you as to the eternal welfare of your soul? Next there was the clear voice of an urgent speaker giving the same warning. That is the preaching of the word of God - you cannot say you have never heard this! There was however still more; the gentle, persuasive voice of a stewardess asking each passenger personally whether all was in order. That is the evangelist - perhaps this little reminiscence will do what other things may not have done and bring you to the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour. Will you let it?

J.C.Evershed