Many years ago as a bridge-builder in New Zealand, I had a thrilling and dangerous experience. Rivers in that country are short and subject to frequent and sudden flooding. The country is mountainous; and in the South Island much snow falls on the highlands in the winter months. Then a rain will bring the snow down with it, and within a few hours the rivers in the lowlands would become swollen torrents.
Late one winter night it was necessary for me to cross a certain river in the South Island. Heavy rain had fallen and the river was running a "banker." Less than half a mile downstream could be heard the mighty roar of a cataract where the flood water swept in a seething torrent over and around great rocks in a narrow pass in the converging hills. A short distance upstream there were other rapids. Between the two the waters of the broad river, although quiet on the surface, were deep and running strongly.
A small Maori canoe, rather leaky and not very "seaworthy," was my only means of crossing; but I was young and strong and had had considerable experience in handling canoes. I was not afraid to take the risk, so I set out.
The night was extremely cold and pitch dark, but all was going well with my venture until, when about halfway across, the canoe suddenly struck an unseen obstacle. In a second the frail vessel overturned and was swept away. I was left, fully clothed, struggling under water. I came to the surface half-drowned. With an effort I calmed myself and cleared my throat of water and got my breath.
My plight was desperate indeed. If I did not drown before being carried down into the rapids, certain death awaited me there, unless by some means I could reach the far bank of the river. In a moment my thoughts went to my dear mother far across the Tasman Sea. As for myself, at that moment I had great consolation in knowing that it was well with my soul.
I struck out for the other side. Never a strong swimmer, with all my clothes and boots on I seemed to make very little headway; and all the time I was being carried nearer and nearer the dreadful rapids and certain death. Still I swam; and in the goodness of. God I drew near a steep bank. There I dimly saw against the sky the outline of a tree from which a branch hung out over the river. Could I reach it? Could I lay hold of it? Would it bear my weight?
I was near the rapids! The angry roar of the swirling waters made me put forth all my strength, and I gained a few feet that brought me near the overhanging bough. As I was being carried past the branch I clutched at it with both hands. Through God's mercy I did lay hold of it. The pull of the water sweeping down over the rapids, the weight of myself in sodden clothing, drew the branch lower and lower till it seemed it would surely break and let me go. However, being green and tough it held. It bore my weight! With a final effort I drew myself hand over hand to land and safety. It was with difficulty that I reached camp; but when I got there I heartily thanked God for His providential care and mercy. I soon had a fire lighted, and in its warmth I knew that all was well.
We are all in the fast-flowing stream of time, and being carried down to the great rapids of death. The Lord Jesus said: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate." Luke 13:2424Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Luke 13:24). The word "strive" here really means to "agonize"—to be desperately in earnest. That exactly describes the state of mind I was in and the efforts I put forth that dark winter night in the flooded river. It was no half-hearted struggle on my part. Knowing it was a case of life or death for me, and no human aid at hand, I literally "agonized" to reach the branch of the tree.
God knew all about it long before my need arose, and He caused that tree to grow on the bank of the river and its branch to extend out over the river. He had met my need; but it was essential that I lay hold of His means of safety.
God knew from the past eternity that we would need a Savior; and "when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son." The Son of God has done all that is necessary to save you. He has come all the way from the heights of glory to the depths of woe and shame and death on Calvary to save your poor lost soul. He is now in reach of you. Paul said in Acts 17:2727That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: (Acts 17:27), "That they (men) should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us.”
Are you making any effort to reach Him? If I had not accepted God's opportunity offered me that night in the river long ago, this story would never have been written. You are in the stream of time being carried down to the rapids of death. You may be almost there at this moment. Will you be swept away to a lost eternity? I beg you, friend, accept the Savior now.
'He loves you, He wants you,
He died to redeem you;
Only believe His Word!
There's nothing to do,
There's nothing to buy,
Remember, ‘twas for you
He left His mansion in the sky;
And now He's ready,
He's willing, He's able to save you!
Only believe His Word!
"Strive (agonize) to enter in at the strait gate.”