Exams were finally over for Sherry and she was so relieved. She was looking forward to Saturday’s hiking trip at Niagara Falls with her three friends. The furthest thing from her mind was the possibility of dying, and yet, before the day was over, Sherry would come very close to death.
The four friends began their hike at the bottom of the falls. They hiked up a trail that climbed the steep slope beside the roaring falls. Keith called back to the others, “We seem so insignificant!” but no one heard him over the roar of the water. Seven thousand gallons of water were falling every second with enough force to erode four feet of rock a year from the edge. Spotting an observation platform upriver from the falls, the four friends hiked to it and walked out to gaze down at the rapids. It was here that Sherry did a foolish thing. Leaving the safety of the observation platform, she climbed over a railing and walked a short distance onto a narrow ledge about 20 feet above the water. She did not think of the danger and just slowly walked along the ledge, casually throwing little stones into the rushing rapids.
The height along the path started to make Sherry feel a little dizzy, so she turned to rejoin her friends. Just at that instant she tripped, lost her balance, and fell head-first into the rapids. Coming to the surface, she struggled in a frantic effort to reach shore, clawing and flailing at the water. But the downward pull of the current was so strong it kept pulling her under. Up ... down ... up ... down. Sherry was powerless in that current; she could not do one thing to save herself. She needed someone to save her, and she needed someone FAST, for the current was pulling her quickly toward the falls.
On the shore, Sherry’s friends were frantic. “Sherry’s in the water!” one shouted. “Where is she? I can’t see her!” another screamed. They all raced along the bank trying to keep Sherry in sight.
Greg, one of the friends, was a strong swimmer, so he dove into the water. In seconds he was almost paralyzed by the cold and knew he had to get back on shore quickly. They all knew her life was in danger, but not one of them was able to save her.
By now Sherry was really afraid, for she knew that her life was coming to an end. Then, to stop swallowing water, she rolled over on her back. Feeling a little calmer, she prayed that her friends would save her. God was going to answer Sherry’s prayer, but not in the way she thought. He was going to send someone else who could help.
A man named John was driving along the highway that follows the Niagara River. When he saw a man frantically yelling and waving at him, he pulled over. He quickly learned about Sherry’s desperate need, and he was willing to try to save her.
“Get the rope from the back of my truck,” he ordered while pulling off his shoes. By now Sherry was only 110 yards from the 175-foot drop and as close to shore as she would ever be. If she were not rescued now, she would go over the falls.
John jumped into the cold water with the rope tied around his waist. With great difficulty he swam the 80-foot length of the rope, calling to Sherry. He strained, lunged and almost reached her, but the rope was just a little short. John was desperate! He made one more try, stretching every muscle in his body ... and was just able to grab Sherry’s hair. Afraid that she would panic and pull them both under, John wrapped her in a big bear hug while those on shore pulled hard on the rope. They steadily pulled them both to shore. What a relief when both Sherry and John were safely on land! How thankful everyone was that they both recovered from the very frightening experience and that Sherry was rescued from certain death.
What could Sherry do to save herself in this scary experience? Nothing. All she could do was pray. And children, that is all you can do to be saved, too ... pray in faith to the Lord Jesus to tell Him you need to be saved and you believe in what He has done on the cross to save you from your sins. He doesn’t expect us to “do our part.” He knows we are not able to do anything to save ourselves, for His precious Word tells us, “When we were yet without strength ... Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)). Sherry had to be saved by someone else. So do we. All we can do is to believe in what the Lord Jesus has already done for us. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and [you will] be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
Messages of God’s Love 6/19/2022