IN A SEAPORT town in England some years ago, there was one house where might be seen a curious object. On the fireplace mantel was an oyster shell and the shell was holding a gospel tract. The man of the house kept this as a reminder of a very strange but most important day in his life.
He had lived a wicked, dissipated life, with no fear of God before his eyes, until he was taken ill. Then his thoughts turned to consider death and the hereafter, and he promised to lead a new life. But alas, when he recovered from the illness, he went right back to his old ways.
Again sickness came upon him and once more he was solemnized about his wicked ways. But again he re turned to a life of sin.
This man was a professional diver and he spent considerable time under the sea in search of lost treasure. One day while he was on such a treasure-hunt he thought to himself, “They tell me God is everywhere. But I don’t believe He can be here at the bottom of the sea.”
No sooner had this passed through his mind than his eye was drawn to an object lying at the bottom. Ding near, he found it to be a gospel tract, held firmly by an oyster. Taking the oyster in his hand, he read upon the tract the text, “Thou God seest me.” This proved to be a messenger from God to that hardened man for he was there and then convinced that, though he was far down under the sea, God did indeed see him.
As the man went about his work now, he was miserable. He knew now that God saw him in all his sins and wretchedness. He knew that it was impossible for him to hide from God. But God in His wondrous grace showed that man something more. In the Bible we learn that that same God who sees us and knows our hearts, is the God who gave His Son up to death for sinners.
The diver learned also what God says in Isaiah 45:2222Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22): “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” So he turned to God instead of trying to hide from Him, and he found that God Himself is the refuge of those that trust in Him.
Friend, are you aware that the eye of God is upon you? In the hustle and bustle of a large crowd or alone in the quiet of your room, it is ever true: “Thou God seest me,” Genesis 16:1313And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? (Genesis 16:13).
ML-03/22/1964