| “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts … and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15). |
| The Bible tells us that one of the descriptions of the last days (the days in which we are living now), is that “men shall be … unthankful” (2 Timothy 3:2). Sad to say, it is very easy just to take the good things that God gives us, without being thankful for them. |
| More than 150 years ago, there was a paddlewheel steamer called “Lady Elgin” that often took passengers out for trips on Lake Michigan in the U.S.A. Just before midnight on the night of September 7, 1860, the ship set out from Chicago, bound for the city of Milwaukee, with 400 people on board. They had enjoyed their day’s outing in Chicago and were returning home. But that night a terrible storm came up on the lake, and the visibility was very poor. About 2:30 a.m. on September 8, the Lady Elgin was rammed by another ship, and began to sink very quickly. |
| When the news spread, a number of young men on the shore, who were students at the nearby Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, saw what was happening. They began to help rescue passengers who were in the water, but who could not get through the breakers to get to shore. Many of these young men were real heroes, but one name stands out — that of Edward Spencer, who was a student at the Garrett Biblical Institute. He was a good swimmer, and because of his persistence and courage, he was able to bring seventeen people to safety. Sad to say, fewer than 100 of the 400 passengers on the Lady Elgin were saved, as the storm was so fierce and the undertow so strong. |
| Although he was a good swimmer, Ed Spencer was not super-strong, and the effort of saving all these people ruined his health. He survived, married, and had children, but never regained his former health and strength. Some years later, a man taking a trip westward in the U.S.A. found out by accident that Ed Spencer was living in Phoenix, Arizona, and paid him a visit. In the course of their conversation, the visitor said to him, “Ed, that was certainly a great thing you did that night many years ago. I know it cost you a lot, as you never regained your health, but I’m sure those whom you rescued remember you, and give you some help from time to time.” Slowly, and with tears running down his cheeks, Ed replied, “Not one ever came back and even said thank you.” |
| Perhaps you and I are horrified at the ingratitude of those whose lives were paid for with Ed Spencer’s health, but if we know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, have we ever taken time to thank Him for what He did? Ed Spencer lost his health, but the Lord Jesus suffered more than anyone could ever suffer, and then gave His life for us, in order to pay the penalty for our sins. |
| When the Lord Jesus cleansed ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19), only one came back to say thank you, and the Lord Jesus felt it that only one out of ten came back. He feels it today if we accept His free gift of salvation, and do not take time to thank Him. |
