It was a night of dreadful storm and wind, and the fishing fleet which had gone out the previous evening from a seaport on the coast, had battled with the winds and angry waves the whole night. But they had all reached the harbor safely, save one boat, and she, driven by the wind, struck on a rock close to the harbor’s mouth. The six men who manned her were seen clinging to the keel, and efforts were made to rescue them. The skipper of the boat—a young man only a few months converted to God—turned to his comrades as they clung to the sinking boat, and said,
“Come on now, boys, let’s raise a song of praise to God; this is the time to praise Him.”
Presently his voice was heard above the howling of the tempest; singing the well-known lines:
“My God, I am thine,
What a comfort divine;
What a blessing to know
That the Saviour is mine.”
Then a great wave dashed against them and threw the young skipper from the sinking boat into the raging sea, and his ransomed spirit rose right into the presence of God. The one nearest him saw what had happened, and addressing his comrades, said,
“Mates, let’s finish the hymn here, our skipper is finishing it in heaven,” and they joined to sing:
“And this I shall prove,
For such is His love,
In the heaven of heavens,
In Jesus’ own love.”
And then a great wave swept another home. But, blessed be God, they were ready, all ready to go! Able to sing of Christ as their Saviour on earth, or go at a moment’s notice to see His face in heaven.
Isn’t it grand, reader, to be on such terms with heaven that a wave can waft you there, or a fleeting breath usher you. within the gate of paradise. Are you on such terms with God and heaven? Is Christ your Saviour? Is God your Father, and heaven your home?
No unsaved person will ever enter heaven.
ML 06/25/1944