[Faith-talk] Good Night Message for Friday, March 8, 2013

[Paul]

Hello and good evening to my readers in the Americas, and good Saturday morning or afternoon to you in the rest of the world.  I hope and pray that, by God's matchless grace and His providential care, that your day went well or is going well.

Judging by the response I received from last night's Good Night Message, we have another story from the same compilation, "Stories For A Faithful Heart." This story, also by an unnamed author, is entitled "The Father's Anguishing Decision" and is rendered as follows:

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend.  With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak.  "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore.  The waves were so high that, even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story.  He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life--to which boy he would throw the other end of the line.  He only had seconds to make the decision.  The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not.  The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.  As the father yelled out, "I love you, son," he threw the line to his son's friend.  By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night.  His body was never recovered."

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth.  "The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus.  Therefore, he sacrificed his son.  How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us." With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side.  "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible.  A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me.  You see, I was the son's friend."

Wow, but what a cliffhanger! I have some old recordings of ballads that ended in a similar way which I'd be glad to share with others, once I get my new stereo hooked up and connected to my other attendant audio sources.

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, throughout this night or day and especially in these last days in which we live.  Your Christian friend and brother, Paul