It was 70 years ago now – but... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
Hebrews 2:3

It was 70 years ago now – but I still remember it as if it were yesterday. As an engine driver, I was travelling by train one night. We were in a hurry, although it was stormy and very dark. As I was going around a long curve, I suddenly saw red lights ahead of me. “Brake, John, brake!” I shouted. “Brake – or it will be too late!” My colleague got into the irons and brought the train to a halt. It was not a second too soon, because the debris of a freight train that had derailed was piled up in front of us. I can’t imagine what would have happened if we hadn’t braked …

I was grateful that I had seen the red tail lights in time. A short time later, I was reminded of them again. Someone visited me and asked: “Have you ever thought about what will happen to you after death? Have you wondered whether God can show you a white lantern for free continuation – or whether He has to show you the red lantern?”

It was clear to me that God could not show me a white lantern. He had held out the red one to me to wake me up and warn me. I realised that I was a sinner in God’s eyes and claimed His salvation for myself. Now I know that I have “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

Each of us is on the way – on his or her own personal journey through life. And for each of us, the journey ends in eternity. If you have life from God, a “white” light shines for you. Otherwise, it shines “red”. If it shines “red”, God is warning you again today. Do you really want to “neglect” His “great salvation”, to disregard it?

Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 2:1-11 · Ephesians 4:11-16