How many of you boys and girls have ever seen a hand-dug well? They are found in many parts of the country where water is close enough to the top of the ground that it can be reached by digging for it by hand. Most wells are drilled with large machines that are able to bore very deeply into the ground. I remember helping to drill a water well that was 4,600 feet deep (that’s nearly a mile) in a Texas town. I also remember my brother Dee and I helping our dad hand-dig a well when we were teenage boys.
Hand-dug wells must be “walled up” with brick or stone to prevent the dirt walls from caving in. A cave-in would not only be dangerous to the person digging, but after the well is dug, a cave-in could fill up the well with dirt and shut off the water supply. These brick or stone walls are usually extended above ground a couple of feet to mark the well’s location and also to hold a cover to protect the water supply.
When we were digging the well in our backyard, we came to some very hard rock that had to be blasted with dynamite to break it up. Our Uncle Allen had experience blasting, so he agreed to place the charges of dynamite in the well and light the fuses. Dee and I were working the hand-operated hoist to lift him out of the well. We were told not to be in a hurry bringing Uncle Allen up, because a long fuse would be placed on each charge to allow time for us to bring him safely to the surface.
We were following our orders bringing him up when, to our surprise, Uncle Allen’s head popped up over the cross-bar of the hoist. He had climbed up the rope, hand over hand, to get out of the well quicker than we were bringing him up!
Three charges of dynamite were “planted,” and Uncle Allen had difficulty getting the last fuse to burn. With the first two fuses already burning, he was afraid Dee and I might not get him out of the well before the first charge exploded. He surely would have been killed if that had happened.
The danger of death and judgment coming upon one who has not received the Lord Jesus as his or her Saviour is just as real as death was to Uncle Allen in that well with the fuses burning on the dynamite charges under him. The Bible tells us, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).
The Bible also asks this question: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Hebrews 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3). The Lord Jesus came from heaven to bring salvation by giving up His life on the cross. The entire cost of that salvation was paid by the Lord Jesus Christ. He offered Himself to God as a sacrifice for sin. Now the sins of those who believe on Him can be freely forgiven. The need for each boy and girl to believe this testimony and receive salvation is even more urgent than it was for Uncle Allen to get out of the well before the dynamite exploded.
Because of Uncle Allen’s strength and skill in climbing a rope, he was able to save himself from the danger of death that threatened him. But those who are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1)) have no strength or skill by which they can save themselves. However, there is good news from God for all who will admit they are sinners and realize they are without strength. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly [sinners].” Romans 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6).
Though you may still be in your sins and helpless, God loves you. He has proved His love by giving His beloved Son to die in your place and pay all your debt of sin, if you will accept the Lord Jesus. He is waiting and longing for you to receive the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. When you believe God’s report of His love and believe on His Son, you have the danger of death and judgment taken away, just as Uncle Allen was free from the danger of being killed by the dynamite exploding in the well when he climbed the rope to safety.
If you asked our uncle if he was relieved to be free from the threat of death had he not gotten out of the well, he most certainly would tell you, “ABSOLUTELY!”
Trust the Lord Jesus to save you, receiving Him into your heart as the One who died for you. You will be relieved to be free from judgment and also be happy that you have a home waiting in heaven with Jesus. Won’t you accept Him today?
ML-05/30/1993