LIFE BELTS FOR SEA VOYAGERS

PSALMS 85:1

A. ALL MODERN SHIPS ARE FURNISHED WITH LIFE SAVING DEVICES
  1. No one would undertake to travel on the high seas without some safety device:
    1. In fact that is a must according to law.
    2. It is a part of the specification a sea-worthy vessel must meet.
  2. In a time of emergency, this is the difference between life and death:
B. OUR TEXT OFFERS SOME VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING IDEAS ON LIFE BELTS FOR SEA VOYAGERS
  1. Our present life may easily be compared to a voyage on a stormy sea:
    1. That was Jacob's testimony to Pharaoh, in an interview Pharaoh gave him - Gen. 47:8, 9
    2. Paul gives us a vivid picture of his voyage on a stormy sea - 2 Cor. 11:23-27
    3. None of us is exempt from this experience - 2 Tim. 3:12
  2. The danger to the people of God will increase as we near the end of our voyage:
    1. We are indeed facing perilous times as we near the end of the controversy between Christ and Satan - 2 Tim. 3:1-5
    2. Satan, knowing that he has but a short time, will turn his wrath upon the people that keep the commandments of God - Rev. 12:17
    3. Cunning deceptions will test all who are not well founded upon the word of God - Rev. 3:10; Luke 23:32, 33
    4. Our greatest dangers are spiritual indifference; neglect of prayer; and the cares of this world. These are forces the devil uses to tempt God's people with - Matt. 24:12; Luke 21:34-36
    5. Secret sins, too, endanger our voyage to the kingdom of heaven - Ps. 32:1-6; 90:8
    6. Our greatest danger is a state of lukewarmness which paralyzes us in many ways and threatens our hope of being saved.
C. WE ARE IN URGENT NEED TO MAKE USE OF THE HEAVEN PROVIDED LIFE BELTS FOR OUR SECURITY
  1. God has graciously provided us with life belts which provide maximum security:
    1. God's promises must be considered as real life belts of sea voyagers. We are told that the Bible contains over 4000 such promises.
    2. God's people have, in times of danger, made use of these wonderful life belts.
      1. David used them to save his soul on many occasions - 1 Chron. 17:26
      2. Moses, too, reminded the Lord of promises when things went hard for him and his people - Deut. 1:11; 15:6
  2. The Lord's care for His people is another life belt to have and hold onto:
    1. "Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land."
    2. "Thou has forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sins."
    3. "Thou hast taken away all thy wrath." - Ps. 85:1-3
  3. Faith, active and living faith, is still another life belt to make sure of:
    1. Read Hebrews 11. What a panoramic view of those who passed over the raging sea of life. Many, many lost their earthly possessions, their loved ones and friends; yea, even their lives, but they saved their souls!
    2. On the other hand, many have suffered shipwreck, have fallen by the wayside - 1 Tim. 1:19
    3. The things of this world have blinded them to the deadly dangers facing them - 2 Cor. 4:4, 5
    4. Consider the testimony of the true witness as found in Rev. 3:14-22
    5. This testimony shows conclusively that it is possible to make a profession of Christianity and yet be devoid of spiritual life and security against shipwreck.
  4. Earnest prayer is still another must for us to have security:
    1. Read Ps. 107:13, 14
    2. Consider Ps. 50:15; Heb. 5:8, 9


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