José had a large five-ton truck that he used to carry supplies. It was a big help to him in earning a living for his family. He lived in Bolivia, a country in South America with many mountains. The only problem with having a truck was the River Pirai near his house. In the dry season the truck could be driven right through the river because it was shallow then. But in the wet season the water level in the river would rise and could become a raging torrent. José built a strong stone bridge across the river at one point so he could drive his truck across. However, the road went right along beside the river for miles, and it had to be crossed in two other places to reach his house.
One day after some heavy rains, he was driving his truck when he found that the river had risen and had washed out the road in front of him. He couldn’t go on. He decided to turn around and go back where he came from. Then he suddenly discovered that the river had now washed out the road behind him too! José was stuck on the road with the raging river both in front of and behind him. That part of the road had a high cliff on the one side and the river on the other side.
José didn’t know what to do. It looked like the river was still rising, and he was now worried for his own safety. José’s only hope was to leave the truck right where it was and get out himself. He climbed up the cliff and then walked out until he came to a nearby town - safe at last!
A man in the town found out that José had left his truck in the middle of the river and said to him, “Sell me your truck.” José was worried about the truck, so he sold it on the spot for half of what the truck was worth! The man was pleased, but not for long. During the night the river rose even higher and washed the truck away. They never saw it again. The only place that hadn’t washed out was José’s stone bridge.
José had abandoned his truck in the river because he wasn’t about to stay with it and maybe drown. But there is a wonderful promise in the Bible that even if waters (troubles) start to overflow you, God will stay with you. He says, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:22When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:2).
José did not think his truck was worth enough to stay with it in the waters. But God’s love is so great that He has promised that when we pass through difficult times, He will stay with us! Now this promise is for God’s own children. If you are not a child of God, you can’t really claim this promise. If you are still going your own way in sin, far from God, then you do not have the wonderful promises that God gives to His children. But you can become one of God’s children. The Bible says that all who receive the Lord Jesus as their Saviour are born again into God’s family. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12).
A truck isn’t worth risking your life for. José knew that. But suppose it were you in the river. Would your parents just say, “Give me a thousand dollars and you can have my child?” No! A person is worth far more than a truck! So when we belong to the Lord Jesus, He has lovingly promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5).
The man who bought the truck was quite angry when he found out that the truck had disappeared. He demanded his money back from José. But the judge in the town told the man, “You knew where the truck was when you bought it. The truck is yours; the money is José’s.”
If you have never trusted in the Lord Jesus for salvation, then you are in the same danger as the truck. Soon God’s judgment is going to sweep away into hell those who have turned down His offer of salvation. José wisely would not risk his life to stay in the river with his truck, but the Lord Jesus did not just “risk” His life. He gave up His life on purpose so that we could be saved. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11).
Will you trust in the Lord Jesus so that when the waters of trouble come you will have the Saviour to stay with you? He loves you and wants to care for you.
ML-02/21/1993