In May of 1889, a terrible flood, known as the “Johnstown Flood,” swept across part of Pennsylvania. Although many people lost their lives, there were many acts of heroism by brave men and women in rescuing victims of the flood.
Alice, a girl ten years old, had been trapped with her baby brother when the flood waters reached their house. It was lifted off the foundation and swept downstream. Alice knew that the Lord Jesus would take care of her, and kneeling down she prayed, asking Him to save her and little Robert from the flood.
A group of people had gathered on high ground above the flooded river. They were horrified at the destruction caused by the swirling waters. As the house with Alice and her baby brother floated by, they heard her calls for help. Charles Hepenthal, 17 years old, decided to try to save Alice. Those with him tried to discourage him, saying it would be impossible to survive in the swirling waters.
However, Charles jumped into the river anyway and swam toward the house. Reaching it, he was able to tie the baby onto his back and swam back toward higher ground. With shouts of encouragement from those on shore, he reached the higher ground. As they pulled him up he cried, “Wait! There is still another child in the house! I must save her too!”
Grasping a wooden plank to use as a support, he plunged again into the waters, but his struggle this time was harder because the water was even higher and the current faster.
As he fought his way toward the house, Alice saw him coming and prayed for help for him. When he finally reached the house he snatched her, and, using the plank as support, they slowly made it back to higher ground. Both children had been saved from certain death!
This story reminds us of a greater deliverance - the death of the Lord Jesus who saves all those who trust Him by faith in His precious blood. We were helpless, lost in sin and without hope until He came to seek and save us, and to “give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:2828Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)).
Have you called to the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, or are you still drifting with the current of this world and going on to eternal punishment because of your sins? The Saviour has said, “Come unto Me.” Do not put Him off another moment. If you do, He may turn away and never call again; then your last hope of being saved will be gone forever. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3)).
Jesus said, “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)).
ML-03/12/1995