Many years ago a young man named Art was working his way through school by selling books. He lived in England and, although only 15 years old, he was sent to a group of islands off the west coast of Scotland to sell to the few people who lived there. There, in what is known as the Outer Hebrides, he rode a beaten-up bicycle day after day around the barren, windswept islands, trying his best to interest people in the books that he carried.
For some weeks he lived in the town of Stornoway on Lewis Island. Every day he would ride all the way across the island to the villages on the other side. What a long tiring trip that was — 12 miles without passing a single house and sometimes riding into the rain and wind the whole way. Each day he traveled a little farther trying to sell his books until finally he got to the most northerly point. Beyond that point was only a lighthouse no more people interested in his books.
He then moved his few belongings (bike and all) by boat to the next island, called North Vist, where he found a small room he could rent. On this island he again followed a circular road, riding and walking through villages he never knew existed. What an adventure for a 15-year-old!
Are there any reading this who are looking for the “adventure” that this world has to offer? Be careful, because there are many dangers! The prince of this world is Satan, and he is always trying to trap people. He does everything he can to keep them from being saved. The Bible says that Satan “hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:44In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4). Don’t let Satan do this to you. Turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, accept Him as your Saviour, and then trust Him to guide you along His chosen path to His home above.
Art finished on North Vist Island and decided to go to South Vist Island. He was told that it was possible to walk between the islands on a sand strip that was above the water level at low tide. He liked that idea, because it would save him having to pay boat fare to make the short trip. Leaving his bike behind one morning, Art walked to the beach when it was low tide between the two islands. Sure enough, there was a sand strip going straight out toward South Vist Island. Looking it over carefully, he decided that it wasn’t going to be quite so easy. Running through the sand were channels of water 10 to 20 feet wide, but there was no way to tell how deep they were.
As he was taking off his shoes he saw two men begin to cross, coming toward him. He watched where they hurriedly crossed the channels. It looked easy, so he started off.
Crossing the first channel was simple since he could see the footprints where the two men had crossed. The water was only a few inches deep. But when he reached the second channel he was not as sure where he should cross. He stepped in and discovered that it was much deeper than he had expected. He backed up, went to another spot, rolled up his pant legs, and stepped in again. Although the water reached his knees he had no trouble crossing this channel either.
When he reached the third channel, about halfway between the two islands, he began to worry. The channel was much wider than he had first thought, “but,” he thought to himself, “the other men crossed it so I can too.” He had not yet realized what a dangerous thing he was attempting, and there was no one to warn him of the danger.
The Bible gives clear warning to any who have not accepted Christ as their Saviour of the danger facing them. Matthew 7:1313Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Matthew 7:13) says, “Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction.” God will punish those “with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thessalonians 1:99Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:9)) who refuse His offer of love and salvation. Don’t continue on the path you are following and become one of these. Turn around and follow the Saviour. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).
Art stood at the edge of this wide third channel looking for the place where the men had crossed, but he could not find it. Then he realized that the water in the channel was no longer still. It was moving, and quite rapidly, too. Bits of seaweed, pieces of wood and sea foam were floating by. The tide was coming in! Looking around him, Art was horrified! Instead of a large area of sand, there was water. It looked like the whole Atlantic Ocean was rolling in on him! The island of sand where he stood was shrinking fast. Every moment the channel was getting wider and deeper. Within a few minutes his patch of sand would be covered with the incoming tide. He had to do something fast!
The question was, what could he do? If he couldn’t find his way when the channel was shallow, how could he find it now when already it had become twice as deep and was spreading out over the sand in every direction.
His answer was that he had a Guide. Art had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. Now that he knew he was in danger, he quickly prayed for help, then plunged into the channel.
He didn’t worry about his pants now. The water was soon above his knees... his waist... higher and higher....still his feet took him down the slope into deeper water. For a moment he wondered if he had made a mistake. Should he have turned back crossing the same channels again? Looking back he saw that it would have been impossible. Everything behind him was covered with water. He could only go forward. He could still see some areas of sand between the channels ahead.
Still the water got deeper and deeper. “Will I make it?” he wondered.
But then the bottom began to rise again. He was past the halfway point. At last he made it to the next patch of sand.
There were other channels to cross, each one difficult as the tide continued to flow in. Afterward he couldn’t remember clearly how he got across. At last he crawled onto the island to which he had set out so confidently less than an hour before.
He was helped by a man on the island who had been watching him but could do nothing to help him until he reached the island. This man found someone who took Art back to North Vist Island in a boat. How thankful Art was to be safely home. Can you, like Art, thank the Lord Jesus for saving you and caring for you each day?
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15). “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.... For I am the Lord thy God... thy Saviour.” Isaiah 43:2,32When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. (Isaiah 43:2‑3).
ML-01/27/1985