What a stark contrast the three-masted schooner was against the beautiful white beach. The skies were clear and blue, the sea was calm and blue around her, but there she sat. As I drove closer I wondered why. She was larger than the sailing boats that frequent the area, and therefore needed deeper water than these shallows could afford. So this majestic sailing ship, one that could rule deep and turbulent seas, was GROUNDED!
Even a mile away she was impressive, and how beautiful she would be under full sail slicing through deep water as if she owned sea and wind. But here she ship was—grounded and partially buried in four feet of white sand.
The effects of a hurricane had driven this fine sailing vessel ashore. Her crew had put out from harbor on the advice of the coast guard. It is customary for larger vessels to do this when fierce storms approach harbors, for fear of damage both to the moored ships and the piers alongside. So the crew thought to ride it out during the storm, but instead were driven in. This ship was designed to sail, not to be buried in the sand, but there she sat, listing slightly, beautiful but sad.
How much more sad it is to see a human life grounded. Man is lost, lost in sin, and thoroughly grounded in it. He is trapped, no matter how outwardly beautiful and serene his life may be.
Romans, chapter 3 and verse 23, tells us that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
A man's life is before him as an open sea and, it would seem, endless horizons stretch before him full of vast opportunities. But the storms of life come to all, and many, many precious souls are swept into eternity.
The Lord Jesus Christ said of the devil that he is one that would come only "to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." John 10:1010The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10). But in that same chapter the Lord Jesus Christ said of Himself, "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
Dear friend, in its present position that ship can do nothing for itself. The crew can do nothing. Not even normal tidal flow will do it. Another source must be used.
Likewise man can do nothing to save himself from hell. The yawning pit lies open to every Christ-rejecting soul. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can save a soul from hell.
What a Savior He is! He shed His own precious blood on Calvary's cross for you. Can you, will you, acknowledge that you are a sinner in the sight of a holy God? Can you say in your heart, "I am lost, and I need a Savior?" The Lord Jesus will respond to your request, because the Son of man (Jesus) came "to seek and to save that which was lost." Come now and come now and "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
The ship can be salvaged, but at a cost of thousands of dollars! Special equipment will be used, and it will be expensive. That ship needs outside help.
Do you see, my friend, that you too need outside help? Unlike the boat, the price has already been paid for your soul if you believe on Him who died and rose again. "The blood of Jesus Christ... cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).
When you have accepted Him as your own personal Savior, then what joy, what peace, what eternal happiness await you in the presence of the One who loves you!