Homeowners on both shores of the St. Clair River between Michigan and Ontario were busy in late April cutting their riverbank lawns. However, it was another story for the crews of the several dozen ships attempting to make the passage between Lake Huron and Lake Erie. They had a problem—they were trapped!
A late breakup of the thick ice on Lake Huron had pushed ice floes into the river. This ice was so thick that it stopped large, ocean-going freighters and ore boats. The ice wedged in around them so that they could not move in any direction. At this same time about 70 additional ships were waiting to enter the river from the southern end. The delay was costing the owners of the ships millions of dollars a day. Other land-based companies dependent on the material being transported by these ships were also facing delays. Their situation was just as serious.
As serious a problem as this was, the condition of those who are trapped in sin is far worse. The ships and companies faced only a delay, since the ice would break up or melt sooner or later. But for a sinner trapped in sin, there is no “waiting it out.” To die in your sins means eternity in hell!
It is a condition that must be settled now.
Let’s think about the similarities between those ships and ourselves. One thing was certain at this time, the ships and their crews could not help themselves. They would require outside assistance. The governments of both the United States and Canada took steps to help the trapped ships. Several large, powerful icebreakers were sent into the St. Clair River to try to free those ships trapped by the ice. The captains could either accept the help offered or refuse the assistance. We, too, can either accept God’s offer of salvation and be free of our sins, or reject it and be punished for our sins. The decision is ours.
The trapped ships would picture the naturally helpless sinner— “holden with the cords of his sins.” Proverbs 5:2222His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. (Proverbs 5:22). Instead of being held by the grip of the river ice, the sinner is held by his sins.
After working several hours an icebreaker would sometimes only partially succeed in freeing a ship. The freedom from sin and its consequences that God offers is complete.
It made very little difference where the ships had begun their voyage. Freighters alike from Japan, Poland, Greece, Singapore, Belgium and Panama shared the same fate—trapped. The Bible tells us of man’s worldwide need and condition: “For there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:22,2322Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:22‑23). We are thankful that God has provided a way for the helpless sinner to be freed. The Lord Jesus Christ was punished on the cross for all who would accept Him as their Saviour. Won’t you do this now and be set free from the sin that has you trapped? “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:3636If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36).
ML-09/23/1984