Memory Verse: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” Matthew 7:13
The Indians had a name for this valley. They called it “The Valley of Doom!” Sometimes strange and frightening noises were heard from this deep, dark ravine. The Indian tribe that lived in the mountains above it told me strange stories about this valley they all feared. Over the years many people and animals had gone down into the valley, but only a few had ever come out again. Sometimes they would hear cries of terror and cries for help not long after someone entered the valley. Their cries would echo off the valley walls, putting deep fear into the Indians.
After hearing the stories the Indians told about “The Valley of Doom,” I decided to go into the valley to learn its secret, if possible. The old Indian chief begged me not to go, but their stories did not frighten me.
I started early one morning on foot. I didn’t take my horse, since I wanted to be able to take cover quickly if there was trouble. Having spent many years traveling in the mountains and valleys of the West, I was sure I could handle any difficulty. Cautiously walking down the trail that led into the valley, I looked very carefully for any clue that would explain the mysterious noises and why some people did not return.
The trail was easy to follow as it zig-zagged down the valley. About halfway down it divided. One trail looked rather narrow and rough, but the other trail looked as good as the main trail. I decided to try the better trail first. It was not far to the floor of the valley from where the trail divided. As the trail leveled off, I noticed a stream coming down the far slope that formed a pool before continuing on down the valley. As I stopped to carefully study the scene, I noticed something rather strange. The trail led right to the edge of the stream, but there was no sign of the trail continuing on the other side. I picked up a good-sized log and threw it into the sand at the edge of the stream. In a moment I knew why so many people and animals had never returned. As soon as the log landed on the sand, it began to sink and was soon out of sight. It was quicksand! I had seen quicksand in other parts of the country, but never in these mountains. I shuddered, thinking how close I had come to stepping in that area. It all looked so harmless.
Going back to the fork in the trail, I started down the narrow, rough trail. There were rocks, stumps and fallen trees on it. However, with careful walking I soon stood on a bank of the stream above where I had been earlier. Here the trail crossed the stream where there was a rock bottom. On the other side, the trail continued up the far slope to safety, away from the quicksand danger.
Those who chose the easy trail thought it must be the right way. They were not careful and did not see the danger. Once they stepped into the quicksand, they were caught. Their cries of terror echoing from the valley walls frightened the Indians. Those who took that trail died and could not warn others of the danger.
The rough, narrow trail, which a few of them had taken, led to safety. Had those Indians known the truth, they would not have been afraid to go down into “The Valley of Doom.” The wide, well-used trail fooled them into thinking they were going the right way. Sometimes what looks like the right way is really the wrong way.
In the Bible, the Lord Jesus Christ tells us about two paths, in Matt. 7:13 and 14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” As each of us travels along the road of life, we will come to a fork in the road where we will have to make a choice. The choice we make will decide if we spend eternity in heaven or in hell.
In Rom. 6:23 we read, “The wages of sin is death.” Also in Rom. 3:23 it says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” If we refuse the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are on the “broad road” that leads to death. To get off the broad road and onto the road that leads to life, we must accept God’s way to be saved. All we need to do is accept the Lord Jesus as our own Saviour.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.
ML-12/21/1986