Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

or, A Mother Robbed of her Children

When James the 5th brought home his bride to Edinburgh, an order was issued that all beggars were to be banished from the streets; distress and need had to be kept out of sight, as the King and Queen made their royal progress through the streets.

What a contrast is this to the way in which the true and heavenly King treated the poor when He came down to earth. As he passed by in the streets they brought out the sick and lame and blind, and those possessed with devils, and He healed them all. The beggars came to His feet and were fed and filled. He did not drive the troubled and needy away. He stood and cried, saying, “If any man thirst let Him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37.)

The heart of Jesus is just the same to-day; if you are needy, helpless and distressed, He will welcome you to Himself. He will save you and feed your poor hunger-stricken soul with bread that satisfies.

Jesus not only saves; He is able also to keep. Those who trust in Him are safe for ever, for He has said, “Neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” (John 10:28.) And, further, He assures us that we are not only in His hand, but kept safely in His Father’s hand also.

When James IV. was overthrown and slain upon the field of Flodden, the Queen and her two children were living in Edinburgh Castle. The heir to the throne was a mere child, and a regent was appointed to rule the land in his name. The Scottish nobles thought that Queen Margaret might come too much beneath the influence of her brother, Henry VIII. of England, in the training of the future King, so they decided to demand of her to allow them the custody and training of the children.

In consequence of this, four of the nobles were deputed to wait upon her, and insist that she should accede to their proposals.

The Queen guessed the purpose of their visit, and she waited to receive them at the gate of the Castle, her two sons standing by her side. When they arrived she demanded to be told what had brought them to the Castle. With due care they at length made known their mission. Upon hearing what they had to say she sharply ordered the portcullis to be dropped. It was put down immediately, and having thus protected herself the Queen replied: —

“This castle and these children have been committed to my care by the late King; I am sole governess here, and I will never yield such an important trust to any mortal.”

That was well said, and we can understand that the widowed Queen meant every word, for a mother’s love made her cling to her beloved charge. But, although she had the heart to protect the young princes, she had not the power to do so for long.

Very shortly she was compelled to give up her children to the Lords of Scotland. After the lapse of only a few weeks the younger of the two princes was found dead, and it was feared that he was murdered by his guardians. Thus you see that whilst a mother’s love was great, she was not strong enough to do all she wished to do.

Now the Lord Jesus loves His own with a love greater than a mother’s love, and He has the power to keep us and to protect us against any and every foe.

How blessed it is to belong to Him; His love is unchanging, His arm is omnipotent, and His word is faithful. He has said: —

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give to them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father which gave them Me is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:27-30.)

Every child of God has been committed to His care, and He will safely lead them home. At the end He will be able to say to His Father, “Of those that Thou gavest Me I have lost none.”

He takes care of those whom He saves, because He loves them, and He takes care of them because He loves His God and Father who gave them to Him.