Many years ago in the great northwestern part of our country, some Indians wrapped in blankets, were seated on the ground listening to a pale-faced missionary tell them about God. The missionary began with creation…Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” “God made everything,” he said. “He made the birds, the flowers and the grain. All things were made by Him.” (Proverbs 16:4)
“This great God loves and cares for you,” continued the pale-faced servant of The Most High. When the old Indian chief heard this, he was so grateful that he wanted to do something for this Great God. He rose up from the back, quietly walking forward and laid his tomahawk at the feet of the missionary. As he did this, he said, “Indian Chief give his tomahawk to God who made all things.”
The missionary talked on of the wonderful grace of The Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was rich in Heaven, he became poor for us, when he was willing to be born in a manger and die on a cross for our sins, so that we might be rich. (Romans 6:23)
The Indian chief listened very thoughtfully. Then again he walked forward, this time taking his blanket. He laid the blanket at the missionary’s feet and said, “Indian Chief give his blanket to Jesus who died in man’s place.” Again he went back to listen. Still, the missionary talked on, telling the story of Jesus’ burial, resurrection and that He lives forever in Heaven, waiting for us to believe in Him. (Acts 16:30,31) While he was yet speaking, the Indian chief unfastened his pony and brought him forward. Again, he said, “Indian Chief give his prize pony to Jesus Christ, who lives in Heaven.” With that, he stepped back to listen, once more. You see, the Indian chief was like so many of us. He thought that God wanted just the things that he had. But The Lord wasn’t finished working in the Indian chief’s heart.
“Now,” thought the Indian chief to himself, “I have given everything I have to this Great God in Heaven who gave His Son for me.” But as he listened on, a new light began to break forth over the old chief’s face. (read Proverbs 23:26) He was seeing something that he had never seen before; something that was all new to him. It was the Holy Spirit that was showing it to him and speaking to his heart. The Indian chief began to see that in giving all the things he had, he failed to give The Lord what He wanted most of all. This time he went forward with nothing in his hands. What do you suppose he was giving? It looks as though the Indian chief is giving nothing, but listen…With tears running down his cheeks and lips trembling, we hear him give the greatest of all gifts for this time he said, “Indian Chief give himself to Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for me.”
Yes, this is what God wants most from each of us. Proverbs 23:26 says…”My son, give Me thine heart…” The Indian chief finally found peace in his heart when he accepted Jesus’ payment for his sin; His precious blood. (I John 1:7) The missionary listened as the Indian chief prayed a simple but sincere prayer of repentance. All the while another Indian had been listening from the very back of the gathering. This man had asked Jesus to save him many years ago but had not been living in a way that pleased God. He headed toward the front with a white flag in his hand, finally surrendering to God’s plan for his life! After asking The Lord to forgive his disobedience, he now had something most wonderful…peace! With surrender comes peace!
Have you any room for Jesus in your heart? Won’t you invite Him in to be your Lord and Savior? If you already have Him as your Savior, have you surrendered to His plan for your life? Won’t you do it today and experience the same peace that the wayward Indian experienced! Write and let us know about your decision for Christ.
Bro. Otto Ball