Abide in the Ship by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 11, 1911

Abide in the Ship

By F. M. W.

THE apostle Paul was on his way to Rome. He had appealed to the decision of Cæsar, and accompanied by other prisoners, with a guard of soldiers, was journeying by boat to the Roman capital. A terrible storm arose; the ship was tempest-tossed. For fourteen days it had been driven about by the wind, the sailors not knowing their location. Time and again it seemed that all was lost; hope had well-nigh fled from every heart. Finally there was reached a crisis so severe that even the experienced sailors quailed before it. They prepared to let down the boats to escape, leaving the prisoners in the sinking vessel; but they were prevented from taking this step by the words of the apostle. To the centurion he said, “Except these abide in the ship, ye can not be saved.”

Only by co-operation and united effort could they hope to weather the storm and reach the shore at last. Acting on Paul’s counsel, the soldiers cut the ropes holding the boats, thus preventing the seamen from making their escape. Inspired by the apostle’s faith and fortitude, through union of their efforts and the blessing of God, all finally escaped to land from their perilous situation.

On life’s tempestuous sea, it is necessary for us, would we reach the shore at last, to abide in the ship. Satan is seeking to engulf us; the waves of evil sweep in from every quarter. Our sky is so overcast that it seems at times that no star of hope pierces the gloom. In darkness and almost in despair we wage battle with the principles of evil; but let us not cast away our confidence nor forsake the work and truth of God. Unlike the ship on which the apostle Paul and his companions sailed, the old ship Zion will safely make the harbor at last. Her pilot and captain is the Lord Jesus Christ; he knows every dangerous reef and hidden shoal. At times shipwreck may seem to threaten; it may seem that the work of God will go to pieces, and we be left stranded and shipwrecked; but an unseen Intelligence is keeping watch over the destinies of God’s children. Not one humble, trusting soul will be lost. Let us be brave, courageous, and hopeful; soon we shall be sheltered within the harbor of eternal rest. Let us remain in the ship, be true to God and to his work, exemplify in our lives the principles of his blessed gospel, and trust him to lead us safely through to the end of the journey. We shall find that we have not labored in vain, nor trusted in vain. In the fulness of our joy every hope will be realized.

F. M. W.