Joe Vinson was found lying in the bottom of a small boat when he was picked up by the S. S. Eldorado. Naked and delirious, he was chewing on what was left of his clothing-part he had already eaten. A storm had come up while he was fishing with two of his friends, and the boat, anchored out in the bay, broke loose from its mooring. His companions swam ashore, but Joe, unable to swim, stayed in the boat and was carried out to sea.
The boat drifted for nearly a week. Joe, exposed to wind and weather and burning sun, suffered intensely. When picked up, he had drifted 530 miles!
He only drifted; that was all. He did nothing but just went with the wind and the tide, and that drifting nearly cost him his life. When we once get loose away from God’s Word, we may drift anywhere!
Drifting away from hope’s blessed shore...
Drifting away where wild breakers roar...
Drifting, and stranded, and wrecked evermore...
Far from the light of God!
Why will you drift on billows of shame...
Spurning His grace again and again?
Soon you’ll be lost, in sin to remain...
Drifting away from God.