Snowmobiling is a popular winter sport in Idaho where there are lots of mountains and usually plenty of snowfall. With snowmobiles it is possible to travel into areas that are otherwise impassable in snow, and they can go many miles on a tank of gas. But, like other winter sports, there are risks, and snowmobilers need to be prepared.
Recently, a group of about ten young men decided to spend a Saturday snowmobiling in some nearby mountains. They left early, arriving up in the hills at daybreak. The weather didn’t look very promising. A storm had been forecasted, and the sky was heavy with clouds and the threat of snow.
Everyone parked their pickup trucks at the end of the plowed road and unloaded the snowmobiles. One of the men, Jay, owned a cabin which was still 20 miles away over a well-packed trail, so off they went.
A good breakfast at the cabin got everyone fueled up for the day and ready to head for the hills. Jay knew the area well, but since it was unfamiliar to the rest they stayed together in a group.
Soon they came through the forest to an area that was perfect for playing in the snow. They raced up the slopes and jumped their machines off drifts. Sometimes they had to dig them out of deep snow when they weren’t careful!
After a while it started to snow and the wind picked up, making it difficult to see. It was still early afternoon, but everyone decided to head back to the cabin, which was several miles away. Two of the men were not with the group. Then it was discovered that they had gone over another steep ridge and their snowmobiles had rolled down the hill and were buried in the snow. Jay and several others went to help them. But first, Jay gave directions to the remaining men on how to reach the cabin. They were to retrace their trail and follow the creek bed back.
They started out, but the wind and snow had covered all the tracks! They weren’t even sure where the creek was, and the only man that knew the way wasn’t there. They were lost in a terrible storm.
After hours of struggling through the snow and wind, some were ready to give up. They were so tired and discouraged and it was dark. But giving up the struggle meant facing the possibility of freezing to death before help could arrive. They decided to keep going, some of them asking the Lord Jesus for help. They knew they could depend on Him: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:11<<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.>> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)).
Finally, at 9:30 that night they reached the cabin. It had taken them over six hours to travel just a few miles. The rest of the group were already there and waiting.
There were still 20 miles to go before they reached their trucks, but there was a big difference now. They were with the man who knew the way. And even though it was still snowing and blowing hard, he led them slowly and carefully to safety.
This story reminds us of how the Lord Jesus Christ can deliver us. We all like to have a good time and are happy when everything is going well. But sometimes the struggles and difficulties that we have to face make us want to just give up. We can’t find our way out of them. It’s not until we realize that we are lost sinners and in desperate need of a Saviour that we can turn to Him and say, “Lord Jesus, please save me!” He will hear our cry because His Word says in Romans 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13), “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We may still have difficulties, but now we have a Leader who knows the way and whom we can safely trust. He also says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:27-2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28)).
Wouldn’t you like to be sure you are safe forever? Why not take Jesus as your Saviour right now?
ML-04/16/1995