It was a beautiful summer day in southwest Nebraska. The farmers were at work in the harvest fields, while in town men and women were busy in their various businesses and other pursuits of life.
In the afternoon a big black cloud came up from the southwest, and the rain poured down in torrents. Before long the valleys near Benkleman were small rivers pouring water into the Republican River, and it became a roaring flood. Farm homes and livestock were washed away and a number of lives were lost.
How this reminds us of the words of the Lord Jesus in the gospels: “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage"—they were going about their business and other affairs of life just like people are today—“and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” Matt. 24:38,3938For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:38‑39).
People were not ignorant of the coming judgment then, for Noah had preached to them for 120 years. And people today have heard the gospel and been warned of “judgment to come.” But how many are too occupied with the things of this life—working, building, eating, drinking, playing, marriage—too busy to give heed to the Word of God.
As the flood roared down the Republican River, people were warned of the coming danger. A Christian man tells of how he had a dear friend living in McCook, Nebraska. This man’s brother was farming southwest of McCook. His brother had a family, a nice home, cattle and everything that goes with a good farm. He, too, had been warned of the coming flood.
At night this friend had gone to his brother’s farm to see if he could get him to move to a place of safety, but he would not leave his livestock. Just as they talked tether, a ten foot wall of water came around the bend of the river not far from where they were. Grabbing his little niece in his arms, this friend hastily climbed up a tree to safety. Even as they watched, his brother and everything that he had was washed away and perished in the awful flood.
Only the little girl in the arms of the man in the tree was saved!
Dear friends, just before He went to the cross the Lord Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world.” John 12:3131Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31). The sentence has been passed, the Judge has been appointed, and the judgment day set. For God “hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.” Acts 17:3131Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31).
Most of those who perished in the Republican River flood could have escaped; and God has made a way of escape from coming judgment for you and me. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
Saved by the Man on the Tree
Like the little girl who was saved by the man in the tree, all who trust in Jesus are saved from judgment forever. He suffered and died on the tree that you might be saved and live with Him who is risen and “alive forevermore” (Rev. 1:1818I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18)).
ML-12/17/1978