The Story
The following story was posted by member Neil MacQueen.
Tell the FAMOUS STORY of the man waiting for God to rescue him, and have the students practice telling the story on their own so they can share it with their family and friends.
Once upon a time, it began to rain and overflow the river next to a farmer's house. And pretty soon the raging river water was surrounding the farmer’s house and waves were coming up his front porch.
"O Lord," said the farmer looking to the heavens, "save me!"
As he is standing there praying, a boat came up. And the man in the boat says, “Jump in, and I’ll take you to safety.”
The farmer crosses his arms and says stubbornly, “Oh no thanks, I put my trust in God.”
The boat goes away. The water rises to the second story. Another boat comes up. The man says to the farmer, who is now at the second floor window, “Hurry, jump in. I’ll save you.”
The farmer again says, “Oh no thanks, I put my trust in God.”
The boat goes away. Now the water is inching over the roof. As the farmer stands on the roof, a helicopter comes over, and drops a ladder. The pilot yells down to the farmer, “I’ll save you.
Climb the ladder.”
The farmer yells back, “Oh no thanks, I put my trust in God.”
The helicopter goes away. The water continues to rise and sweeps the farmer off the roof into the swiftly moving water. Unfortunately, he drowns.
The farmer goes to heaven. God sees him and says, “What are you doing here?”
The farmer says, “I put my trust in you, and you let me down.”
God says, “What do you mean, let you down? I sent you two boats and a helicopter!”
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Sometimes when we're scared or in trouble, the ANSWER to our prayer has already been sent. Jesus has been with you, but maybe you've ignored him. Or maybe Jesus sent you a friend or parent, whom you have chosen not to listen to. Or maybe he is trying to tell you something through scripture or prayer, but you have been ignoring those ways of Jesus being with you.
God promises to be with us, even in times of trouble. But it's important to KNOW HOW God comforts us, and what God's presence feels like, so we can receive that comfort.
This is one of the reasons we come to church and study the Bible together, to learn how God is with us, what his voice sounds like, and strengthen our faith so that we can withstand the times of trouble.
Let's pray that we recognize the help God gives us BEFORE we need it!
