Reading: “And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”—Acts 27:44
This is the beautiful conclusion of a history, which, at a time of shipwreck, afforded large opportunity for the exercise of faith. The issue, it appears, was not doubtful from the first; for an angel of God had assured Paul, that God had given unto him the lives of all that sailed with him. And so it proved; yea, the very wreck of the ship furnished the means for the people’s safety.
Now, Christian, here is a very precious instruction for you. In the exercises of your life, learn to abide firmly by the promise, when every thing leading to its accomplishment seems to fail. God has said, that eternal life—and this life also—is in his Son; and that “he that hath the Son, hath life, and shall not come into condemnation.” Now let what will arise in the providence of God, like the storm and shipwreck of the apostle, these are intervening circumstances with which you have nothing to do.
Take hold of the promise; for the promise has its claim on God. This cannot fail, whatever else may fail. And though, like Paul in this voyage, neither sun, nor stars in many days may appear, and no small tempest surround you; Jesus is still at the helm, and you will assuredly survive and escape to land. Yea, the very wreck of all things around thee, shall but the better minister to this great end. And you will at length write down the same conclusion to your history, which Joshua, the man of God, made of the whole history of Israel: “Not one thing hath failed, of all ·the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto this very day.”
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