See that light out there flashing in the darkness? One -two - three white flashes. It shines from the lighthouse on Morte Rock, a name that means “Death Rock”, and it has been a death rock to many even though it is not far from shore.
Years ago a Norwegian vessel, the Odin, was passing the rock, bound for Llanelli. It was laden with timber, and commanded by a Christian captain who read his Bible and prayed every day with his crew. During a storm in the dead of night the ship ran upon the rock. There was no lighthouse there then, so the disaster was not surprising.
The doom of the Odin was certain, as it lay alone and unseen on the rocks. Some of the crew wanted to take to the boats at once, but in that raging sea it would have been impossible for a boat to hold up.
It was certainly a time of trouble. Calls for help were useless, for no human help was near, but they could call to the Lord. He holds the sea in the hollow of His hand, and has said, Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. (Psalm 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15).) So the captain said, “Let us pray unto the good Lord; He can do great things.”
All knelt on the slippery, slanting deck, and the captain prayed in simple words to the One who was able to do what they could not do.
“What next?” was the crewmen’s anxious question.
“We will wait and see,” was the only answer the captain gave.
Soon their danger became greater than ever: a heavy sea broke over the ship and split it in two. Was God trying their faith, or was their prayer in vain?
The crew kept together as much as possible, still asking, “What now, Captain?”
Still the same answer was given: “We will wait and see.”
Through the hole in its side made by the great wave that broke their ship apart, the timber stored in the hold began to wash out. One by one the planks and logs floated out and were tossed upon the rocks. The watching men soon noticed the amazing thing that was taking place. The waves were tossing the logs in such a way that they were forming a bridge of logs from the wreck to the shore!
“Captain, I believe we can cross to land!” Was this to be their way of deliverance?
The captain looked at what was being done by the waves. “Not yet, men; wait a little longer,” was his reply.
They prayed again. Light was dawning, and they could see that there was just one space between the rocks which they could not pass. Then, guided by the Divine hand, another wave swept out some fresh logs and laid them exactly where they were needed. The bridge was now complete - a God-built bridge - and over it the drenched sailors scrambled. By God’s preserving care they reached the shore, and climbed a little path to the fields above.
Those who ought to have been on the lookout for those in trouble on their coast seem to have neglected their duty, for there were none watching to give the shipwrecked men any help, but the Lord led them over the fields into a road. “It leads somewhere,” they said. “Let’s follow it.”
Drenched and hungry, soon they came into a little town where they found food and warmth. The first thing the captain did was to assemble his men to give thanks to God. They had cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He had brought them out of their distresses. Now they were safe and grateful.
Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
God has made a bridge from a sinful life to everlasting life for all whose faith rests in the saving power of the shed blood of His Son - Jesus Christ. That bridge is Christ Himself. A wonderful bridge spans the waters of death, even Jesus, the new and living way, and no man can come to the Father but by Him.
Who could have planned God’s way of salvation from the wreck of sin? It is not of man’s work, not by the help of angels, but all by His own wisdom and by His own strong arm. The only hope, the only escape from the wreckage of sin is trust in the Saviour of sinners. Will you accept Him and His way now?
Since that lighthouse has been on Morte Rock no wrecks have taken place on that rock, but what can we say of those who run upon the rocks of sin in spite of the clear rays of God’s lighthouse. Such wrecks are willful, not accidental, but still that bridge of salvation, that one way of escape from destruction, is open to all who will take it. Only turn from the way of death; only turn to God’s way of life - Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life - and you too will prove that He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him. v
Not by works of righteousness
which we have done,
but according to His mercy
He saved us.
He was wounded for
our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities.
Behold the Saviour at the door!
He gently knocks - has knocked before;
Has waited long - is waiting still;
You use no other friend so ill.
Admit Him, for the human breast
Ne’er entertained so kind a guest;
No mortal tongue their joys can tell,
With whom He condescends to dwell.
Life at best is very brief,
Like the falling of a leaf,
Like the binding of a sheaf,
Be in time!
Fleeting days are telling fast
That the die will soon be cast,
And the fatal line be past,
Be in time!
Time is gliding swiftly by;
Death and judgment both draw nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly.
Be in time!
Oh! I pray you count the cost,
Ere the fatal line be crossed,
And your Christless soul be lost.
Be in time!