These verses from the Bible really impressed David Crockett. He read them a short time after living through a terrifying experience and dramatic rescue from Mount St. Helens. One year ago tomorrow, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. Millions of words have been written describing the scene, the devastation, the experiences of some who escaped, and the horror of those who did not. One of the most remarkable stories is the experience of David Crockett.
He had awakened at 3:00 a.m. that Sunday morning. He was a news cameraman assigned to report daily on what the mountain was doing. So he was well acquainted with “The Lady", as the mountain was called. She was snowcapped and beautiful—a very impressive sight. Her heavily forested slopes and beautiful winding rivers were a delight to explore. “But this is not a working day,” David thought to himself, “and it’s only 3:00 in the morning.” As hard as he tried, he could not go back to sleep. He got up, dressed, took his cameras and climbed into his car for the 150-mile trip to the mountain.
As he turned off the highway to follow the winding Toutle River towards the mountain, he really wondered if anything was going to happen today. Ever since the mountain had begun quaking and snorting steam two months before, scientists and newsmen had clustered around it to study and to report on its activities. No one knew, of course, exactly what would happen, or when.
David drove up along the south fork of the Toutle River, since he thought this would give him the best view of the summit. He continued up the peaceful valley to within a mile of the peak. He found a good place to stop with a perfect view of the mountain. He got out of his car, stretched and glanced at his wristwatch. It was 8:30 a.m. What a beautiful morning!
Picking up his camera, he focused it on the mountain to take a few pictures. It wasn’t light enough as yet to pick out any details other than the outline of tall trees and winding logging roads. Everything was hushed and calm. As he was focusing his camera on the peak of the beautiful mountain, he was suddenly startled. A frightening, immense, black plume of smoke suddenly rocketed from the peak. More angry-looking plumes rocked skyward. As they billowed larger and larger they joined together, forming boiling black clouds.
David took several pictures of the incredible sequence, but he was hardly ready for what happened next.
As he looked through his camera, he saw the whole side of the mountain moving at the bulge that scientists had said was the most dangerous area. Frozen to the spot, he watched as it moved, first slowly, then faster and faster—straight into the valley where he was standing!
Realizing his danger, David lead into his car, whipped it around, and raced back down the mountain road. Through the rearview mirror he saw a horrifying sight! An immense 20-foot-high wall of what looked like steaming, wet cement was overtaking him like a speeding tidal wave! Churning with boulders and stumps, it charged madly on, snapping giant trees like twigs and burying everything in its path. He was sure he could not outrun it!
He floored the gas pedal, and his car bounced and swayed wildly down the mountain road at 70 miles per hour. But he could see the tidal wave of molten mud looming higher and higher in his rearview mirror. It was moving at nearly 150 miles per hour, he learned later! “Find higher ground!” flashed across his mind.
As he frantically tried to outrun the boiling mudslide, he came to a turnoff road. He skidded onto the narrow logging road and had just come to a slight rise of land when the steaming, roaring wall of hot mud caught up to him! It struck a little valley beyond him with a thundering boom. The road ahead exploded, trees and rocks skyrocketing 100 feet into the air!
He slammed on the brakes, skiing on the gravel road, shifted into reverse and started backwards, but the road behind him was gone, too! He was caught on a tiny island, surrounded by a raging torrent of hot ooze.
David was trapped—with no way out! Satan has men, women, boys and girls trapped—with no way out! Satan’s trap is SIN. Without the help of the Lord Jesus Christ there would be no way to escape from Satan’s trap. He defeated Satan at the cross. There He was punished for the sins of everyone who will believe on Him. Won’t you accept Him as your own Saviour? Only believe that His blood, shed on the cross, was for you. It is this blood that can wash away all your sins. Then you will be free from Satan’s trap! “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).
Only about five minutes had passed since the mountain first began erupting. David knew that he had to get off the little island of higher ground where he was strand. He was sure that the next mudslide would quickly cover it. He saw a hill about 200 feet ahead. Leaving his car he decided to try to reach it.
Cautiously, he touched the mud that was still flowing slowly by. He was surprised to find that it was not hot, just warm. Stepping into the mud, his foot sunk to solid ground. Step by step he waded through the mud. At times it was up to his waist. Finally, he reached higher ground, but he was exhausted.
As he rested it started getting dark, even though it was only 9:00 in the morning. Heavy, dense clouds of volcanic ash blackened the sky. It fell like fine sand and was so thick that it was difficult to breathe. He pushed on to the top of the hill. Sitting down he waited, afraid he was going to die and praying that someone would save him.
Help finally did arrive many hours later. Helicopters, searching for survivors, spotted him in what was now an ash-covered, desolate wasteland. The helicopter had proems lowering a basket, because the blades of the helicopter whipped up thick clouds of ash. It was impossible to see, but David finally grasped it. The helicopter pulled him to safety!
It would have been foolish for David to have refused the rescue by the helicopters. Yet there are many people today who are refusing God’s way to be saved and are trying to find their own way. David could not rescue himself, and there is no way that a sinner can be saved other than through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t wait another minute! He wants you to open your heart to Him. He is waiting. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20).
ML-05/17/1981