Captain Patrick Dove, of S.S. Africa Shell, was captured by the German cruiser, the Graf Spee, on November 15th, 1939. He was a prisoner with other captured British captains and officers on the German cruiser when she was attacked by the British ships, the Exeter, the Ajax and the Achilles, and driven battered and disabled into the harbor of Montevideo, only to be finally scuttled by her captain.
We can imagine, perhaps feebly, the feelings of Captain Dove and the rest, imprisoned in a narrow space, unable to see what was happening, hearing the mighty guns fire their deafening salvoes, feeling the very ship tremble under their feet, as shell after shell hit the cruiser. Naturally these Britishers wished for a British victory, but that would almost mean their death like rats caught in a trap. If ever men were in a tight corner these men were. What did they do?
Captain Dove writes, "I think that every man there prayed. I know I did. Most of us sailors are pretty firm believers in Christ, and we certainly needed all the comfort we could get at that moment.”
One would not condemn them for praying in their terrible extremity. Indeed, God answered their prayers. The British won the battle; yet the lives of the prisoners in the ship were spared, and they obtained their freedom.
A similar story was told us by a soldier who had been in the Dunkirk evacuation.
He said it was a moving sight to see scores of young soldiers, ordinarily careless, godless, swearing fellows, on their knees on the sandy beaches, with tears coursing down their cheeks, crying to God for deliverance.
But what we plead for is that true, vital belief in Jesus the Savior should not be reserved for extra-tight corners. It should govern our whole lives, and we ought not to be ashamed of it.
At some time every sinner and we are all such will find himself or herself in a tight corner. Sin has a habit of coming home to roost. "The wages of sin is death,” Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27). Nothing can be more terrible than the death of an unsaved, un-forgiven sinner. How agonizing to see one who has neglected salvation all his life pass into eternity! There will be no more opportunity to believe the gospel. There he is doomed and damned. Reader, wait not for a tight corner. Why neglect God, Christ, the Bible, and the means of grace, in fair weather?
You will seek the help of a neglected and flouted God when in a tight corner.
Wake up, dear soul! In the time of health and strength turn to the Lord, receive Him as your Savior, and seek grace to manifest Him in everyday life. Then when a tight corner comes He will be with you― He "will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Have you confessed the Lord? Have you believed on Him? Do not wait for a tight corner! Even now as you read these lines decide this momentous matter, and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.