One very warm day, Mark, Steve and Tim decided they wanted to go fishing down by the lake. They found their rods, then dug some worms to use for bait. Finally they headed down the road beside the lake to a place where there was a dock.
They had lots of fun fishing that day. We don’t know if they caught anything, but most boys love to fish even if they don’t always catch something. They sat on the dock for a long time, sometimes silently peering into the water, sometimes just quietly talking together. (Everyone knows that loud noises and shouting and laughing will scare away fish.)
After a while the wind began to blow and dark clouds appeared in the sky. The boys soon realized that a storm was blowing up and that they had better start for home. They quickly reeled in their fishing lines, gathered up their stuff and hurried up the road. What they did not know was that they were in real danger—a tornado was heading their way!
Boys and girls, do you know that you are in danger—greater danger than being caught in a tornado? If you do not have the Lord Jesus as your Savior, then your sins are not forgiven. The storm of God’s judgment on sin is coming soon, and you are not ready to meet God. Come to the Lord Jesus in prayer and admit to Him that you are a sinner. He wants to be your Savior and will gladly wash away your sins. Then you will be ready to live with Him in heaven.
As the wind gusts grew stronger and stronger, the three boys ran faster toward home. But they soon saw that they would not be able to make it all the way home safely before the storm broke. Steve said, “There’s a house . . . let’s go in there and wait till the storm is past.” Tim thought it was a good idea too, but Mark said, “No, I’m going home.”
How important it is to be saved RIGHT NOW! God’s Word, the Bible, says, “NOW is the accepted time ... NOW is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)). Take the only safe way—God’s way of salvation—and don’t waste time trying other ways. You may be too late if you do.
Steve and Tim ran to the safety of the closest house, but Mark ran on toward his own home. The tornado struck with terrific force, taking down huge trees and telephone poles and hurling large objects through the air. No one knows for sure what it was, but something flying through the air struck Mark and killed him before he ever reached home. How sad when he could have been with his two other friends in the house that offered safety.
Oh, be warned in time and escape from the judgment that is coming soon. The Lord Jesus loves you and invites you to come to the safety of His arms. He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)).