Shipwrecked

TEXT:

‘Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked’ – 1 Timothy 1:19 NLT.

THOUGHT:

Cornwall is notorious for shipwrecks. With a coastline of only 250 miles (400km), it is thought that there have been more than 6000 wrecks, more than any other comparable coastline in the British Isles. Reading the Book of Jonah, I was reminded of three people in the Bible who were involved with a shipwreck or potential one – King Jehoshaphat, Jonah and the Apostle Paul. It is illuminating to study the reasons behind each one, for there is much we can learn. Just as lighthouses warn of dangerous rocks, so these are recorded so that we do not make the same mistakes.

• Wrong Alliances

‘Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, went into partnership with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who was a very wicked man. They made ships in Ezion-geber to sail to Tarshish. Then Eliezer, son of Dodavahu from Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat, telling him, “Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your work.” So the ships met disaster and never arrived at Tarshish’ – 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 TLB.

Jehosphaphat had experienced a wonderful victory without even having to fight. A vast army came against him but it turned on itself, just as God had promised – see vv’s 1-30. Flushed with success he thought he could do no wrong and forged an alliance with Ahaziah who unfortunately was a wicked king. God was not going to bless him and their trading ships were wrecked.

Many Christians have had relationships, marriages and businesses shipwrecked because of wrong alliances. The Bible warns about being unequally yoked together, ‘Don’t be teamed with those who do not love the Lord, for what do the people of God have in common with the people of sin? How can light live with darkness? And what harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a Christian be a partner with one who doesn’t believe?’ – 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 TLB. The end result is usually tragedy and shipwreck. Such Christians wrongly think they will be able to change the negative aspects of a person into positives but all too often the opposite happens and it’s their own light that goes out.

• Wrong Actions

God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn them of impending judgment but he rebelled and went in the opposite direction, boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. A sudden storm arose and the sailors tried to save the ship by throwing out the cargo but they were in danger of sinking. Jonah realised he was the cause of the storm and instructed them to throw him into the sea and there was an immediate calm. From the depths Jonah’s prayer of repentance meant he would go to Nineveh after all.

How wrong actions can affect others. Jonah’s disobedience nearly cost the sailors’ lives but what about the thousands in Nineveh if judgment had come without his warning? As it was, he did cause the merchants to lose their cargo. Wrong actions usually affect more than just one person. It’s called “fall-out”, the after-effects that make a bad situation worse. If you have done wrong, then pray the prayer of repentance, for God is able to get you back on track!

• Wrong Advice

‘Paul warned, “I see only disaster ahead for cargo and ship—to say nothing of our lives!—if we put out to sea now”. But it was not the best harbour for staying the winter. Phoenix, a few miles further on, was more suitable. The centurion set Paul’s warning aside and let the ship captain and the ship-owner talk him into trying for the next harbour’ – Acts 27:9-11, 21 MSG.

The Centurion ignored Paul’s warning but the promising start to the journey soon turned into fourteen harrowing days. Tossed up and down by an enormous storm, all the cargo and supplies were dumped in the sea in a vain bid to survive. A similar situation to the one Jonah faced, but there is one vital difference. Paul was not running from God but going to Rome in the will of God. So in their darkest hour, when all hope of being saved was gone, he stood and declared what the angel had said to him, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul—for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God has granted your request and will save the lives of all those sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God! It will be just as he said!’ – Acts 27:24-25 TLB.

Not only would Paul be saved but all 276 passengers and crew. When the sailors hatched a plan to escape using the small boat, the Centurion did not make the same mistake twice. Acting on Paul’s advice, ‘Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved’ v31, he cut off the boat and made them stay. The next day everyone safely landed on the island of Malta.

If you have been receiving bad advice, do not keep making the same mistake. The Bible is full of good advice. God will help you to make right decisions as you daily involve Him.

To those who are in a storm right now, take heart from Psalm 107:23-32,

‘And then there are the sailors sailing the seven seas, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observe the power of God in action. He calls to the storm winds; the waves rise high. Their ships are tossed to the heavens and sink again to the depths; the sailors cringe in terror. They reel and stagger like drunkards and are at their wit’s end. Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and he saves them. He calms the storm and stills the waves. What a blessing is that stillness as he brings them safely into harbour! Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all of his wonderful deeds! Let them praise him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.’

No matter how great the storm is, nor how big the mistakes you have made, God is greater and can turn it all around.