Some time ago, on a cold, early spring afternoon, a Christian couple headed out in their cabin cruiser for a picnic supper in San Francisco Bay. They waved to a college rowing team, also heading out to train. But by the time the cruiser had neared a large drawbridge that opened into the bay, the choppy water had turned into huge, dangerous waves.
The bridge tender refused to raise the drawbridge to let the cruiser through, pointing to the enormous whitecaps on the open water ahead. Feeling some frustration, but realizing they couldn’t enjoy a picnic while being tossed around by such waves, the couple turned the boat to head back to their dock. At that moment, in the distance near some mud flats, their attention was drawn to a strange, ruby-colored light, shimmering in the shape of a cross in the late afternoon haze. Fascinated, the couple turned towards the glowing cross-shaped light. Though they began to enter an area of dangerously shallow and very muddy water which could easily ruin their motor, they felt strangely compelled to continue drawing closer to the light.
As they got closer, mud began to drain from the exhaust pipe and the engine temperature rose into the danger zone. Still the light seemed to draw them on. Upon reaching it, they were disappointed to find it was only a marine buoy reflecting the red sunset. Feeling foolish because of the risk they had taken, the couple turned back towards deeper water.
Suddenly the man’s wife exclaimed, “Look at the coconuts floating in the water!”
But they weren’t coconuts. They were the men from the rowing team. The couple quickly hauled all of them aboard. The team’s boat, driven out of control by the waves, had crashed into the bridge and sunk. The crew had been treading the icy-cold salt water for almost an hour. Realizing they were facing certain death, they swam together and earnestly prayed, asking God to rescue them.
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him” (Psa. 103:1313Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. (Psalm 103:13)). It is a great comfort to know that in times of trouble, stress and danger, our Father in tender love and pity is bending to help the helpless. But why wait until trouble assails to enjoy His tender care and thank Him for love that has given His best (Rom. 8:3232He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32))?
“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old” (Isa. 63:99In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)). Not only has our blessed God saved us from our lost, hopeless condition, but how wonderful to realize that He knows and feels all we pass through, His ear ever open to our cry. May He hear our heartfelt praise too!
“They that go down to the sea in ships... see the works of the Lord, and His wonders.... The stormy wind... lifteth up the waves... and [they] are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses... unto their desired haven” (Psa. 107:23-3023They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. 25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. 28Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. (Psalm 107:23‑30)).
Ed.