Little raindrops were pattering against our windowpane and sliding down the glass to make a big puddle under our window. It had been a wet spring, first with melting snow and then with spring rains. But every day or so there was more rain. Now there was water everywhere.
Our sins are like that, often just little things. They don’t seem like much. But we soon have so many of them that they begin to weigh us down.
For days those little drops of rain kept falling, until the creeks overflowed their banks. The rushing water knocked down trees and even washed away houses that were close to the water’s edge.
One day when there was a lull in the rain, we went out to see the damage. The swift water had uprooted a large tree that lay across the creek, so we used it as a bridge. Our dog was following us. When we started over on the tree bridge, he jumped into the water, intending to swim across as he had often done before. But the current was too strong, and it swept him against the tree. He clawed at a branch, trying to get out, but the fast-moving water sucked him under. He popped up again and clawed at another branch. But again, the force of the water dragged him under the tree. He was pretty much helpless.
You and I are completely helpless when it comes to our sins. It takes only one sin to keep us out of heaven, and we can’t remove even one, let alone the flood of them that each one of us has. Ephesians 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1) describes us as being “dead in trespasses and sins.” They are dragging us under! King David felt the weight of his sins and prayed to God, “Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink” (Psalm 69:1414Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. (Psalm 69:14)). He turned to the right person—the only One who could save him. And you and I can turn to the very same One.
But there was nothing we could do to save our dog in that dangerous, rushing water. Four times the poor dog went under, and four times he finally popped up again. Then the water pulled him past the tree completely, and he went bobbing down the rushing creek. Finally the water slammed him against the bank, and he was able to scramble out.
You and I have the Saviour we can turn to to save us. “Our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem [save] us from all iniquity [sin]” (Titus 2:13-1413Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13‑14)). He loves us and willingly died on Calvary’s cross, bearing the punishment for the sins of every person who will come to Him to be saved. “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:2828So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)). Do you want to be included in the “many”? There is nothing you can do except to come to Him with your load of sins and let Him save you. Have you done that?
ML-08/11/2013