There is a true story about a woman trapped on the top floor of a burning building. Flames and smoke blocked every way of escape. When firefighters arrived, one of the men scrambled up a ladder to the window where the woman was screaming for help, and with outstretched arms he offered to save her. But when she looked down and saw the great distance to the ground below, she panicked and drew back into the room.

The fireman attempting the rescue begged her to trust him for her safety, but his pleas were not heeded. In senseless fear she retreated beyond the fireman’s reach. Finally, being forced to return to the ground, he said to a TV cameraman, with tears in his eyes, “I did everything I could to save her, but she wouldn’t let me!”

Would the Lord one day say to you, “I did everything I could to save them, but they wouldn’t let me!?”

Remember His promise, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Tags: fear, fire, refusal, salvation