Several years ago southern California was hit with strong rain storms caused by high winds coming in off the ocean. These came, one closely following the other, until a total of thirteen inches of rain had fallen.
One of the areas that received the greatest damage was the Santa Monica mountains and adjoining districts. These border the Pacific Ocean northwest of Los Angeles. Here steep canyons, Topanga, Mandeville, Los Virgenes and others, usually dry or having a quiet stream flowing through them, became raging torrents, wiping out roads, whole communities, individual homes and cars. Worst of all, 24 lives were lost, mostly in these mud and debris-filled streams. It would seem that God was reminding people how weak and helpless they really are, and that the things of this world are not going to last forever.
As the fury of the storm increased, one resident, Joshua Patlack, concerned about the water eroding the bank below his home, decided to do something about it. Knowing his ordinary clothing would immediately become soaking wet in the rain, he put on a “wet suit” (a wool-lined, water-proof suit worn by skin divers and surf-boarders). Approaching the edge of the violent stream he discovered a big log which was backing the water up toward his house. He and a friend worked to loosen the log to clear the area. Just as their efforts were successful and the log floated free again, Josh lost his footing and fell into the raging stream.
Grabbing the log they had worked so hard to free, he hung on for dear life! He was able to scramble onto it and was taken on a wild ride down the canyon, eventually ending up in the Pacific Ocean. Josh, who had gotten bruised and scraped in his wild ride, was still alive and thankful to have the log to hang onto.
Meanwhile, his friend immediately contacted the police and Coast Guard and told them about Josh’s accident. Through the rest of the afternoon search and rescue teams flew over the area, but were unable to find any sign of Josh. When darkness came, the search was called off.
How this story reminds us of those who for years refuse Christ, wishing to force any thought of Him out of their lives, just as Josh wanted to move the log to get rid of it. But just as the discarded log was the means of saving Josh’s life, so many have found the Lord Jesus Christ ready and willing to receive them.
Through the long night Josh hung onto that solid log. Although he was a strong swimmer, he knew that it was only with the support of the log that he was going to survive.
As morning came the rescue flights started again, but with little hope of finding him. They followed the trail of debris that had washed from the canyon far out into the ocean. Finally, nearly 17 hours after falling into the stream, Josh was spotted by a helicopter crew and lifted to safety.
Josh’s survival was due to the “wet suit” he wore that kept him warm and the log that kept him afloat. There is a terrible storm of judgment that will soon fall on this sinful world. Before this storm comes, the Saviour is going to call to heaven all who trust in Him. Are you prepared? Do you have on the right “garment"? If you are not clothed “with the garments of salvation” (Isa. 61:1010I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)) and are not standing on that “spiritual Rock... and that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:44And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4)), then you are not prepared to meet God. Don’t wait any longer; accept Him now as your own Saviour.
ML-12/29/1985