Many years ago a young man lived all alone on an island in the Pacific Ocean... because he chose to. It was his decision. But let’s go back to the beginning of the story.
The man’s name was Alex Selkirk. He was born and raised in a small town in Scotland. He had always been a rebellious boy. When he reached his teens the problem he had been to his parents and teachers only got worse. Now this behavior got him in trouble not only at home and school, but also with the town police. Between the ages of 14 and 18 he ran away from home twice. Other times his conduct landed him in jail.
The last time he ran away he went to a large town that was a seaport. Dreaming of adventures in far away countries, Alex got a job on a sailing ship that was ready to leave the port. Hover, he soon found out that things on board ship were no different than on land. Again it was his conduct which got him in trouble. He was always quarreling and fighting with the other members of the crew.
One day the ship was anchored in a bay of a small island so the crew could make minor repairs on it. During this time Alex got in an argument with the captain. In anger Alex demanded, “Put me off this ship! I would rather stay alone on this island than work on your ship!”
The Bible tells us that people who do things when they are angry are often sorry later: “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:99Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9). (Alex was going to regret his decision!)
“Agreed!” shouted the captain. “Get your gear and off the ship with you!”
Alex got his sea chest that held his clothes and tools, and without any more discussion he was rowed ashore. Lifting his gear out of the small boat, he stood on the shore unafraid as the small boat returned to the ship.
Alex stood on the shore watching them, still angry at the captain. Suddenly his feelings changed—his anger was gone and now he was afraid as he thought about what an awful choice he had made! He realized he would have to stay alone on the island where there was no shelter, no food, no other people, and possibly wild animals. He might never have another chance to leave or see another person.
Alex began waving his hands and shouting, “Come back! Come back!” But they did not turn back. He thought he heard the captain laugh. The sailors climbed back into the ship, hoisted up the small boat, and soon the ship sailed out of sight.
Alone now, Alex became angry again, but this time it was in fear. He was angry with himself, with the captain, with everything.
He soon realized it was going to take hard work to survive. He found a cave in the rocks and built a fire outside to keep wild animals away. He found dried seaweed for a bed and set his sea chest across the narrow entrance of the cave. Then he rolled himself in his blanket and went to sleep.
Many days passed. Still angry and lonely he survived on fish and fruit. He still blamed the captain for all his problems. Every day he watched for a passing ship, hoping he could signal it to come rescue him.
After many days of feeling sorry for himself, Alex found a small Bible in his chest. Since he had never owned one he did not know how it had gotten there. Perhaps one of the other sailors on the ship had placed it there. Hungry for something to read he took the Bible along to his lookout place on the rocks. When he opened it he read this verse: “They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.” Psalms 107:44They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. (Psalm 107:4).
Alex thought this verse described himself, lonely and in trouble. He read on: “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way.” 10:6,7.
As Alex read of the Lord’s care and that “His mercy endureth forever,” he knew that God’s mercy had been over him. For the first time he realized that his own will and behavior had been the real cause of all his troubles.
Alex knew that God sent His Son to earth to suffer for man’s sins, bu’ he had never thought that he needed to be forgiven. For the first time he felt ashamed of his life. He knelt down on his lookout rock and confessed to God how wrong he had been, and he accepted Christ as his Saviour and Friend.
After that Alex did not feel so alone since he knew the Lord was with him. He began to search the island and found much to help and interest him. The trees and plants were pretty and he found fruit and nuts that he had not seen before. He built a small hut with shelves and benches in it where he could sleep and be dry when it rained. He tamed a wild goat and some rabbits which were company for him. Now even the roaring of the seals, which he had thought sounded so terrible, sounded friendly to him.
Each day Alex read his Bible and found new things to enjoy. He cut a notch in a tree each day to keep track of time. He even began remembering some of the hymns he had known as a boy. So the days passed pleasantly, and he even became fond of the quiet.
At last one day Alex saw a ship in the distance. He built a big fire on the sand to attract attention and waved a white cloth tied on a pole. It was seen by the ship’s crew, and a boat was sent to shore. With only the few things that he could carry, Alex was rescued from the island which had been his home for over four years.
Some months later Alex finally got back to Scotland. He was a different person from the one who had left. He had learned much about himself, and the love and mercy of God had given him a new life.
Without Christ each of us is on a course that is leading to everlasting punishment in hell because of our sins. Alex Selkirk was stopped in his sinful course, and the quiet time alone with God’s Word, the Bible, resulted in his salvation. Have you stopped to listen to God’s Word? He loves you and wants you to know Him and be saved. The Lord Jesus Christ was punished on the cross by God for the sins of all who would believe and accept Him as their Saviour.
Some people are so angry with everything in life that they blame God and ignore His love. Only by spending time alone reading the Bible can we see His wonderful love. Then accepting Him as our Saviour, we can go on with a changed life that will be pleasing to Him.
Editor’s note: This true experience in the eighteenth century inspired adventure stories that some of you may have read in school.
ML-04/15/1984