ANOTHER young man with myself had been working at a Yacht anchored off the coast of the Isle of Arran. When we started in our small boat for Lamlash, a distance of about seven miles, the waves were running high, but we could manage to get along till we entered Lamlash Lough. We were within sight of our destination, when a fierce gale of wind opposed our progress. The waves rose high, and, dashing against our little boat, every moment, threatened to swamp it.
We did what we could to keep the bow of our frail craft to the waves and pulled for our lives; our hands blistered and our backs feeling as if we would never get them straightened again. But all we could do was in vain. We noticed by landmarks which we knew, that we were drifting out to the open sea.
Thank God! We were both believers in Christ, and could encourage each other in the Lord. I could hear my companion behind me say, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:3232Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32).
Well, the Lord did send us a saviour. We noticed a yacht leaving the smallest island, as if to go to Lamlash, but it changed its course and made straight for us. How easily it seemed to ride over the stormy billows, and soon it came so close, we could see the man in it, and could hear him shout, “Throw me a rope.” As he sailed round us, we did so, fastening it securely in the bow of our boat. And then with thankful hearts, put on our coats and sat down in the stern. Watching with grateful hearts how quickly and triumphantly we glided over the rough waters, by the power of the one who had taken us in hand, and soon we reached our desired haven. You may be sure we thanked our deliverer, and my friend remarked, “How much we have to thank the Lord for, tonight!”
Dear children, we are all on life’s journey, and because of sin man is ruined and brought under Satan’s power, but, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). That blessed One on the Cross “hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust to bring us to God;” otherwise we could not have been saved.
Down from the glory He came and finished the work. God has raised Him from the dead, proving that the work is accepted by Him.
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4:2525Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25).) That is the gospel. Do you believe it?
Your believing is just like throwing the rope; we did it, and then rested. So with the sinner, He stops trying to do, or to feel, and rests simply on Christ and what He has done. And now, having done so, we are carried along by His power. How we enjoy it, as we realize how strong our Saviour is, and how secure we are in His hand. (John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28).)
Is there nothing now, for us to do? Yes, there is, but not for salvation, we have that. We begin with thanking our kind deliverer, and He says to us, “As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.” (John 20: 21.) Now we have One to live for, who died for us.
ML 02/11/1900