Jesus is the Lifeline

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.  -Psalm 34:6 (KJV)

Chinese preacher and writer Watchman Nee once told the story of how that he and a group of seminarians had one day gone swimming in a lake.  One of the men went too far out in the water and being unable to swim back to shore began to panic.  The drowning man then began to cry for help.  One of the men was an accomplished swimmer, so those on shore began urging him to swim out and save the drowning man.  However, the swimmer sat by passively and did nothing.  Meanwhile, the struggling man in the water was unable to stay afloat and was clearly drowning.  Despite the frantic pleas of the men, the swimmer sat by and continued to only watch the as the drowning man thrashed about in the water.  Finally, the man drowning man gave up his struggle and began to sink.  The swimmer then dove into the water and within a few seconds had reached the exhausted man.  He then expertly pulled the man safely to shore thus saving his life. 

Afterwards, the men asked the swimmer why he had waited so long before diving in and saving their comrade.  “He was struggling so much that had I tried to save him immediately he would have pulled us both under,” The man explained.  “I had to let him wear himself out so that he would stop struggling and let me save him.”   

We see in this powerful story a picture of what God so often does with us.  Like the drowning man, we too struggle and fight against God and His offer of salvation.  Finally, when we are exhausted and about to go under for the last time, God reaches out to us and pulls us to the safety of salvation in Jesus Christ.  Many people have to cease from their struggling and trying to save themselves before they will surrender and receive the deliverance which the Lord so freely offers.  Like a lifeline thrown to a drowning man, Jesus Christ reaches out to us in our darkest hour and lifts up onto solid ground. 

My friend, whatever you are going through, do not give up.  Stop trying to solve the problems on your own strength.  Instead, receive the salvation the Lord is offering.  Jesus Christ offers help, forgiveness, and hope of a brighter day.  Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).  Open your heart and receive Him today 

The troubled soul finds life, peace, happiness, and joy in Jesus.  Do not turn Him away.