The wind howled louder and fiercer all through the night. In the homes built along the sea shore, many a heart was thankful for the storm warning that had been posted the day before. Not one from the little fishing village had put out to sea.
But with the early streaks of dawn came a crash from off-shore. Brave men leaped to their feet and rushed to man the lifeboat. There, about half a mile off shore was the stricken ship, still afloat, but in grave danger.
With speed and skill, the brave fishermen launched the lifeboat from shore and made for the rescue.
The rest of the story will surprise you. The captain of the damaged ship was drunk. He stood on deck waving a revolver and uttering awful curses. He refused to leave his ship, and even threatened to shoot any of his crew who entered the lifeboat. The lifeboat crew were amazed. Never had they met any before who refused to be rescued.
Before I finish the story let me ask if you have done something even more foolish. God in His Word warns us: “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).
But you can be rescued from this doom, which is far worse than sinking in a watery grave. The very next verse gives us God’s lifeboat,
In spite of the captain’s threats, two of his crew slipped unseen over the side and into the lifeboat. The rest of the poor men were afraid of the captain’s gun, and would not leave, hoping their ship might not sink. But they all perished! Just as the two rescued seamen reached the shore, a terrific crash was heard, the ship broke up, and the captain and his men were seen no more.
ML 12/13/1953