Are You In Danger
When I was 12, my violin teacher, Mr. Spencer, and I went
fishing on the banks of the Rock River near Moline, Illinois. North of the
river, a large lake is connected by a swamp that is wider and deeper than many
rivers I’ve seen.
We drove to a farmhouse
on the north side of the lake to borrow a boat. Mr. Spencer then drove to where
the swamp emptied into the Rock River while I rowed the boat across the lake to
our fishing spot.
We planned to fish
all night, and it was already dark when we put our fishing lines into the
water. Then we ate and waited for the fish to bite. A little after midnight, we
heard a massive clap of thunder and saw streaks of lightning split the sky.
Mr. Spencer said,
“If we don’t get out of here before the downpour, I’ll never be able to drive
the car back across the field to the farmhouse. If we don’t leave right away,
the car will be mired in mud. Can you row the boat back to its owners?”
“Yes,” I replied.
Saying, “I’ll meet
you at the farmhouse,” he drove away and left me with the little rowboat.
It was pitch dark. I
began rowing toward the lake, but I couldn’t see the curves and bends in the
swamp. I had no flashlight, no light of any kind. How was I to see where to
row? Lightning was
the answer.
I’d row a little and
then wait for lightning to light up the surroundings. Due to the rowing and
waiting, I didn’t make very good time. By the time I reached the lake, the rain
was falling. Now I had to wait for lightning to show me the house across the lake.
I waited several times while crossing the choppy waters.
Oh, yes—the boat
leaked! But I had found a tin can, and, as I waited for lightning, I bailed
water.
Wait—bail—row!—and
pray!
A lake that size can
kick up some hefty waves, but at the time, I never thought much about it.
The good Lord
protected this boy, in a little leaky boat, on an angry lake, amid lightning,
thunder, and rain.
Was I in danger? You
said it! I could have been hit by lightning, the boat could have sunk or
capsized, or I could have become lost crossing the lake.
Was I frightened?
No, honestly, I wasn’t. Why not? Not because I was brave, but because I didn’t
realize the real danger I was in. My friend, are you like other people who have
said, “I’m not afraid of a coming judgment. I don’t fear God. I’m not afraid to
die?” Then you do not realize the fearful danger you are in.
You may know you’re
a sinner, for God says, “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23).
You may know, “It is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
You may know you
haven’t a chance of entering Heaven by your religion or good works, for it is
written, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to
His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).
You may know you
must be born again, for our Lord declared, “Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
You may know all
this, even as I knew about the storm, the wind, the waves, and the leaky boat.
Perhaps, though, you are so busy and caught up in living life that you haven’t
given serious thought to the awful danger you are in, just as I didn’t realize
my danger.
Right now, you are
in danger. All kinds of accidents happen to people of all ages - old and young
alike. One of these could send your lost soul into an endless eternity where
you will meet God in your sins at the “Great White Throne Judgment” (Revelation
20:11-15)—beyond all hope—forever—of being saved.
In another five
minutes, it could be too late for you.
You are in grave
danger! Think about it! Receive the Lord Jesus, who paid for your sins at
Calvary.
The moment you trust
Christ, you’ll be out of danger forever, for He promises, “Verily, verily, I
say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power (the
right or authority) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His
name” (John 1:12).
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved” (Romans 10:13).
