California has many twisty roads in mountainous areas. Scott Anderson, 51, and his 11-year-old son were driving along one of these roads in Mariposa County in a very rural area. Not only were the roads winding, but the weather was challenging with heavy rain and sleet. It was on a lonely stretch of road that Anderson lost control of his Toyota car while navigating a turn, rolling several times before falling down a 500-foot cliff. Their terrifying journey came to an end when they landed in thick brush at the bottom of the canyon.
Out of sight from the road above and in the pouring rain and sleet, who would see them and how would they be rescued?
HOPELESS?
Are you wondering who will see you sunk in sin, trapped in whatever addiction has you in its grip? Are you in total despair and think that your case is hopeless? Take heart, for the Bible tells us that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:2626But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)). Luke 15 tells the story of the good shepherd who left the 99 sheep to search for the one sheep that was lost, and when he had found it, he laid it on his shoulders, rejoicing and said, “Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” Jesus then went on to say, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:77I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)).
WATCHFUL WORKER
A Cal Fire employee who was returning from a call noticed through the rain and sleet that a road marker was down. Wondering why, he stopped to investigate. Seeing signs of a possible accident, he looked over the edge of the cliff and saw the glint of metal far below.
A small army of search and rescue teams were able to muscle father and son up the steep cliff to safety. The rescue operation took about four hours. Though moderately injured, they were able to recover in the hospital. Both had been wearing seat belts, and it was determined that no drugs or alcohol were involved.
Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese commented that the car had gone off in an extremely steep canyon in an extremely rural area of the county. “The miracles were on top of many miracles, from being spotted to the quick response. Definitely, somebody was looking out for them.”
UP FROM THE PIT
Being hauled up 500 feet of a steep canyon wall took a lot of strength and effort by brave men. But did you know that God’s Word pictures us in a far more deadly situation than being at the bottom of a cliff? We are sunk deep in sin and separated from God because of our sins. We are helpless and cannot work our way to heaven! Just one sin, one bad thought or deed is enough to keep us from God’s presence forever.
But God has His eye on each one of us and wants us to have a relationship with Him. “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ... But God commendeth [demonstrates] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6,86For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). When we acknowledge our sinful, helpless state before a holy God and by faith accept Christ’s death on the cross for our sins, we are saved. We are forgiven and made fit for the presence of God for eternity.
Can you truly say, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings” (Psalm 40:22He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (Psalm 40:2))?
Kim and Nathan Maker had a sudden scuba mishap that left them with what you could only call A Diving Disaster.