SUNDAY March 3, 2024
A Sailor’s Senses
Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms.
Acts 27:27-28
Thirteen long, dark nights had come and gone, but as the fourteenth night arrived, the seafaring men sensed a change. Perhaps they could hear the waves breaking and knew they were drawing near to land.
The seafaring men knew exactly what to do. They took charge of the ship and performed soundings, a nautical term for lowering a rope that had a weight attached to it, over the side of the ship. When the rope went slack, it meant they had reached the sea floor. The rope was marked at the water’s surface. The men found the depth to be 20 fathoms––120 feet.
Drawing close to land must have caused the crew, and all the others on board, to breathe a sigh of relief. Although, knowing they were not out of danger, there was finally a renewed hope among them. Perhaps they could somehow navigate the ship through the rough seas and bring her ashore. Soundings were taken again. They found out the depth was shallower––only 15 fathoms––90 feet. Land was closer.
Too often in life, our hope is lost, but what joy it brings to our hearts when hope is renewed. What has caused you to lose hope today? Is your marriage on the rocks? Have you a prodigal child? Are you financially in debt and at the point of financial shipwreck? Have you placed your hope in this world and all it has to offer, only to experience hopelessness instead?
Whatever your circumstances may be, place your hope entirely in Christ.
Thanks be to God, there is hope to-day; this very hour you can choose Him and serve Him.
~D.L. Moody~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
