On July 9, 1960, Robert Woodward had a unique experience. On that never-to-be-forgotten afternoon he was in a small boat with a friend, some distance above Niagara Falls. Their motor stopped, and when they attempted to row the boat against the swift current a wave capsized it. They were thrown into the fast-moving waters. His friend disappeared and drowned, but Roger was carried by the torrent over the 162 foot precipice.
Below the falls the "Maid of the Mist" was on her usual run taking tourists to see the awe-inspiring spectacle of the falls at close range. Suddenly the captain saw an object floating on the churning waters, and heard a voice crying for help. A life preserver was thrown toward him, he seized it, and was taken safely aboard.
This remarkable experience was published all over the world in newspapers and magazines. He is the only person known to have survived going over Niagara Falls without any other protection than a life jacket, and we can only believe that it was God's intervention which saved him from certain death.
About a year later, again in July, this young boy was saved again. This time it was not published abroad, because the world is not interested in the salvation of a soul from eternal wrath and ruin. On hearing the gospel of God's wonderful love and grace to mankind, young Roger Woodward received that word into his heart by faith—faith in Christ Jesus—and was saved. As he expressed it later, "I guess the Lord saved me the first time so that I could be saved the second time."
This story should speak forcibly to all of us. We all enjoy reading a thrilling account of a person saved from physical danger and death, but this is not nearly so important as it is to be saved from our sins and their terrible penalty.
Reader, if unsaved, you are surely drifting toward a worse place than Niagara Falls. But it is possible to know that you are saved once and for all-for time and eternity. This is the sure Word of God. Can words be plainer than these: "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 5:2424Verily, 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). These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they mean exactly what they say.
None of us know how many times our lives have been spared, how many "close calls" we have had, or how many accidents have been averted, but we may be sure that God's reason for preserving our lives thus far has been that we might be saved eternally from our sins and their consequences.
Do not put off the most important thing in life. The Lord has come to "seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10). If we but turn to Him, owning that we are sinners before God, and trust Christ as our Savior, we shall find what Roger Woodward and countless others have found: all our sins are forgiven, and we are saved for time and eternity.