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Years ago
a Norwegian vessel, the Odin, was
passing the rock bound for Llanelli. It was laden with timber, and commanded by
a Christian captain who read his Bible and prayed every day with his crew.
During a storm in the dead of night the ship ran upon the rock. There was no
lighthouse there then, so the disaster was not surprising. |
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The doom
of the Odin was certain, as it lay
alone and uncertain on the rocks. Some of the crew wanted to take to the
boats at once, but in that raging sea it would have been impossible for a
boat to hold up. |
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It was
certainly a time of trouble. Calls for help were useless, for no human help
was near, but they could call to the Lord. He holds the sea in the hollow of
His hand, and has said, |
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Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver
thee, |
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and thou shalt glorify Me. |
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(Psalm
50:15.) |
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So the captain
said, "Let us pray unto the good Lord; He can do great things." |
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All knelt
on the slippery, slanting deck, and the captain prayed in simple words to the
One who was able to do what they could not do. |
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"What
next?" was the crewmen’s anxious question. |
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"We
will wait and see," was the only answer the captain gave. |
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Soon their
danger became greater than ever: a heavy wave broke over the ship and split
it in two. Was God trying their faith, or was their prayer in vain? |
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The crew
kept together as much as possible, still asking, "What, now,
Captain?" |
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Still the
same answer was given, "We will wait and see." |
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Through
the hole in its side made by the great wave that broke their ship apart, the timber
stored in the hold began to wash out. One by one the planks and logs floated
out and were tossed upon the rocks. The watching men soon noticed the amazing
thing that was taking place. The waves were tossing the logs in such a way
that they were forming a bridge of logs from the wreck to the shore! |
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"Captain,
I believe we can cross to land!" Was this to be their way of
deliverance? |
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The
captain looked at what was being done by the waves. "Not yet, men; wait
a little longer," was his reply. |
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They
prayed again. Light was dawning, and they could see that there was just one
space between the rocks which they could not pass. Then, guided by the Divine
hand, another wave swept out some fresh logs and laid
them exactly where they were needed. The bridge was now complete – a
God-built bridge – and over it the drenched sailors scrambled. By God’s
preserving care they reached the shore, and climbed a little path to the
fields above. |
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Those who ought
to have been on the lookout for those in trouble on their coast seem to have
neglected their duty, for there were none watching to give the shipwrecked
men any help, but he Lord led them over the fields into a road. "It
leads somewhere," they said. "Let’s follow it." |
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Drenched
and hungry, soon they came into a little town where they found food and
warmth. The first thing the captain did was to assemble his men to give
thanks to God. They had cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He had
brought them out of their distresses. Now they were safe and grateful. |
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Oh that men would praise
the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of
men! |
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From: http://home.comcast.net/ |