On the night of May 19, 1915, Mt. Lassen in northern California was ripped apart by an enormous explosion. Massive mudflows, hot ash and gas flowed down the mountainside, swelling nearby creeks and rivers. In its path lay the sleeping residents of the little settlement of Hat Creek that had gradually become accustomed to the sounds and smells of the small releases of steam the awakening giant had been belching.
Elmer Sorahan was awakened by his dog. Not only did his dog bark loudly, but he put his paws on Elmer’s chest to wake him up. After going outside, Elmer saw a thundering twelve-foot high mass of mud and logs roaring down the creek. He took off running nearly a mile downstream to warn his nearest neighbors, the Halls. Bursting through their door he yelled, “Get out! Get out! There’s a flood coming.”
Among other residents living down the creek was Harvey Wilcox, who also had a dog that awakened him. Harvey barely had time to grab his clothes and run to higher ground before the flood took away his house and everything in it. Others received phone calls from the Hall family warning them to flee immediately. It is remarkable that these two dogs were given the ability by God to sense danger coming and to faithfully warn their masters. Because of the actions of these dogs and, later, the phone calls, the entire settlement escaped with their lives, though their houses were nearly all destroyed by the flood.
I’m reminded of another faithful warning given to us in the Word of God. There God “now [commands] all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man [the Lord Jesus Christ] whom He hath ordained” (Acts 17:30-3130And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:30‑31)). These people living along Hat Creek, without exception, acted upon the report of judgment coming and were all spared. Now what about you? For nearly two thousand years the love of God for this world has been proclaimed, and now the good news for you is that “God [commends] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). Though we have all offended God by our having sinned, yet He has mercy and pardon for all who sincerely show “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:2121Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)).
It is one thing to have our lives spared, like the residents along Hat Creek, but it is far more important to have our souls saved. This is not possible by our own efforts, but by taking God at His word and having a “change of mind” as to our condition before a righteous and holy God. By believing that Jesus, the Son of God, bore the punishment we deserved while He hung on the cross of Calvary, we receive the forgiveness of sins. There He suffered and gave His life as a perfect sacrifice for sin, and then God raised Him from among the dead as a victorious Saviour.
The Lord was gracious to those people in California ninety-nine years ago, and He wants to be gracious to you today. The Lord Jesus is a wonderful Saviour, and He has room in His heart for you if you will simply put your trust in Him as your own Saviour. While a dog is often referred to as “man’s best friend,” how much more is the Lord Jesus like a friend that sticks closer than a brother. “Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee” (Job 22:2121Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. (Job 22:21)). Job also went on to say that God looks “upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light” (Job 33:27-2827He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. (Job 33:27‑28)). God loves you and has a purpose of blessing in your life. He has made full provision for your eternal happiness if you will come to Christ just as you are and believe that He died to put your sins away. Won’t you trust Him now?
His loving warnings about the dangers of sin and His remedy are worth your careful consideration in the next story, Heart Disease