On this past New Year’s Eve, the 218,000 ton supertanker, Andros Patria, carrying millions of gallons of crude oil from the Persian Gulf to Rotterdam, was sailing past the northwest coast of Spain. Aboard that huge ship, which was longer than 31/2 football fields, were 37 crew members and passengers.
Very heavy seas caused a crack in her side which was followed by a short circuit, explosions and a fire. 34 of the passengers and crew took to a lifeboat to escape but, sad to say, the lifeboat capsized in the violent seas and all perished. Three of the crew remained on the ship and were rescued by a helicopter.
“We were really scared and we never expected to ever return home again,” said one rescued sailor.
The last word of the Andros Patria was that she was a crewless burning ghost ship, sailing along at four knots per hour away from the Spanish coast, leaving millions of gallons of oil in her wake.
What would you have done if you were aboard that ship-stay on it while it burned, or get into the lifeboat provided for emergencies? To whom could you turn for help?
Few of us would ever be in such circumstances as were the men on the Andros Patria, but there are dangers and emergencies just as serious and solemn to face on the ocean of life as we cross this dark turbulent world—storms, trials, accidents, sickness, ruin, sorrows—and death at last, “the wages of sin.” (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)); “and after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)) To whom will you turn for help? The Lord calls you to look to Him.
Have you put your faith in Him? If so, then all will be well. But if not, you might not think to call on Him in an emergency. Or it might be too late—you may be struck down before you have time to cry for help. Or if taken suddenly seriously ill, you may have a sign put on your door, “No Visitors,” and gone forever will be your last opportunity to hear the precious message of the gospel and of the Saviour’s love whispered in your ear in your dying hour. The salvation of your soul is serious business. Do not put it off for a moment. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2))
God has given wonderful proses to those who are His through faith in the Lord Jesus. He says, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)) Trust Him today and all these wonderful promises will be yours.
ML-04/08/1979