THE well-known seabird, the stormy petrel, is rightly accredited with a sensitive presentiment of a change of weather. Fishermen in Iceland keep their weather-eye upon him. Should he fly far away out of sight, it is a sign of fair weather, and they can pursue their calling with their frail barks upon the treacherous waves without fear. But should the petrel be seen flying landwards, it is a sign that a storm is gathering. Wise men will hoist every sail at once, and haste for the harbour of shelter and safety. To remain at sea after that, tossing to and fro on the waves, would he to run the risk of being caught by the fury of the storm and of meeting with a watery grave.
How strikingly this reminds us of the state of things in the world in relation to Christ! Man, as he cannot see Him, acts in his unconverted state as though He were a long way off. He reckons that the outlook is fair, and sails fearlessly through the world, assured that he has plenty of time to enrich himself with its offers of gold, or honor, or renown. He sees no sign of coming danger. Death and judgment to him are vague, a long, way off, in the dim, uncertain future, and the latter possibly only a tale that is told after all! His present life and home are here, and they engage nearly all his thoughts. He esteems it his duty and interest to do the best he can for himself. But, alas! he has no sense that his heart and mind have been blinded by the god of this world, and he sails on regardless of the warning sign of Scripture, “Behold, the Judge standeth before the door” (James 5:9).
On the other hand, the troubled soul looks up. He sees Christ on high, but though on high, at hand (Phil. 4:5). He hears His warning voice, telling of His coming soon as Judge, and entreating him to flee to Him at once as Saviour. He is the only harbor of refuge and safety from the coming storm. Forewarned by His precious words of love and grace, as a wise man he turns the prow of his bark (to use the figure) homewards. Forsaking forever the delusions of Satan and this storm-threatened world, he steers straight for the harbor. In Christ Himself, who died for sinners, he finds a present haven of shelter, rest, and peace.
Dear reader, how is it with you? Are you still deluding yourself with the thought that Christ will not return in your day, and that death and judgment are far away? Listen, we beseech you, to the word of warning. As the stormy petrel flying strongly and swiftly towards land is the warning sign of coming danger to the Iceland fisherman, so hear the word that comes down to your soul from the glory of God, from One who is at hand, and who is coming quickly, and with power to judge the quick and the dead (Rev. 22:12; 2 Tim. 4:1): “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isa. 55:7). And again, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). And again, “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:8, 9). But “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:3).
Believe on Him, the Saviour now in glory. The storm of divine justice and judgment has already passed upon Him. God hath made Him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us. And whoever believes on Him does not come into judgment (John 3:18; 5:24). His sins are forgiven, his soul is saved, his judgment is past.
Pass on in indifference, and pay no heed to the voice of warning, and you will surely and shortly reap the fruits of your folly and unbelief in eternal woe. Listen to the voice of the Son of God, and flee to Him, and present and eternal safety and blessing are yours.
E. H. C.