Few people traveled the country highway at night, and even fewer were out this particular night because of a big windstorm. In his headlights, the driver of the big eighteen-wheeler truck could see the tops of the evergreen trees whipping back and forth. But the strong wind didn’t bother him; he was driving a powerful truck that could handle just about anything.
The trucker was listening to the radio as he cruised down the highway. A voice interrupted the regular programming: “Attention: This is a special bulletin. Hood’s Canal Bridge has been temporarily closed until further notice due to high winds.”
The trucker heard the warning, thought about it for a moment, and then decided it didn’t apply to him. The warning might apply to others in cars, but he was driving a powerful, heavy truck that could get across any bridge. He had a schedule to keep, and the only way to get where he was going was to cross that bridge. His mind was made up . . . he would keep going despite the warning.
The Bible has a special bulletin for you and me, and it is good news! It tells us of a Saviour who has made a way for sinners to have forgiveness for their sins and eternal life. It tells of God’s love that sent His Son into the world to die in the sinner’s place. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)). Because the Lord Jesus paid the supreme price for sin at the cross, you and I can receive the gift of eternal life, instead of the death and punishment we deserve for our sins. There is no other way for any of us to be accepted into heaven but through faith in Christ. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:89). Have you placed your faith in Christ? If you have, you are on the road to heaven. If you are trusting in your own strength to get you through, you will surely perish. Don’t go on in your own strength. Turn to the Saviour before it is forever too late.
On through the night the trucker drove the big rig. At about 3:00 a.m. he came to the bridge. A barricade with a “CLOSED” sign blocked the way. The driver stopped his truck and got out of his cab to push the barricade to the side. The wind swept his hat away before he returned to his cab. Then he drove slowly onto the bridge.
Driving down the highway, the wind had been partially blocked by trees and hills. On the bridge over the open water, the wind hit the truck with terrific force. Hood’s Canal Bridge is a floating bridge built on big pontoons and is a mile and a half long. When the truck was partway across the bridge, a mighty gust of wind struck it and actually pushed the big trailer several feet sideways on the pavement! The trucker’s heart seemed to jump into his throat! For a moment he thought the truck would be blown off the bridge. He could picture the truck toppling right through the railing and disappearing into the dark waves with him inside.
Too scared to drive any further, the trucker decided to stop right where he was and wait out the storm. For two long hours he waited on the bridge with the high winds shrieking all around him. Nervously he waited for the winds to die down so he could drive off.
God is reaching out to sinners in grace. He loves their souls but hates their sins. If you have realized that God is displeased with you because of your sin, God doesn’t want you to “wait” in such a state. No, He wants you to “flee from the wrath to come” (Luke 3:77Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Luke 3:7)). He wants you to go directly and without delay to the Saviour for forgiveness. He offers complete cleansing from all your sins, if you will come to the Lord Jesus. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
“Waiting” didn’t work for the trucker. The storm only grew worse. The bridge was taking a terrible beating from the wind and waves. One of the cables snapped that held the pontoons to the large anchors, and the bridge began swaying back and forth. When the trucker felt the wild movement of the bridge underneath him, he realized he didn’t have any time to waste. He quickly pushed open the door of his cab and leaped to the pavement. Then, leaning into the wind, he ran for his life. The wind stung his face as he ran, and he had to jump over a light post that had crashed down. Just as he got off the floating part of the bridge, he turned around to see his truck fall into the waves. Moments later the entire floating section of the bridge broke up into large pieces and floated away on the waves into the night. The trucker had narrowly escaped with his life.
All his trouble that night would have been avoided if he had listened to the warning on the radio or even stopped at the barricade. Instead, he had stubbornly continued on his way, and it almost cost him his life. When the gospel is shared with you, like it is in this little story, what are you going to do with it? Will you hear it and believe the message? Or will you stubbornly choose to go on in your own strength as if all will be well? All eternity is at stake. Won’t you be wise and come to the Saviour at once? “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)).
ML-08/14/2005