Crossing from New York to Jamaica recently many of the passengers were unable to sleep because of the incessant rolling of the vessel. As we lay awake in our berths hour after hour we heard the look-out man answering as the hour and half-hour bells were rung:
“ALL’S WELL. LIGHT BURNING BRIGHT.”
Christian, we too are journeying across the ocean of life. Let me ask you a question. Is all well with you? It was a comfort as the winds howled, and the waves tossed the steamer from side to side like a cork upon the water, to hear the cheery voice of the look-out every thirty minutes assuring us that all was well, and that the warning head-lights burnt brightly. There are perils at sea, and wise indeed was the unceasing care and watchfulness of the look-out man.
The Christian has perils as great as the mariner, indeed greater, for they are soul perils. Satan is a watchful foe. Once he brought the wind about the house of Job’s sons and daughters as they feasted together, and all perished in its overthrow. Satan today would bring the wind of his opposition about our souls, and we need constant watchfulness.
A wicked, God-hating, Christ-rejecting world, like the waves of the sea, would swamp the testimony of the Christian, either by persecution or seduction.
Peter once left the boat to walk on the water. So long as his eye was fixed on Jesus he was superior to the yielding element his foot was firmly planted upon. But he looked at the waves, and immediately began to sink. It was as easy to walk on rough water as smooth. To do either required the eye on Christ.
So with us. With the eye on Christ we are superior to all opposition and trial. As we look forward, as darkness settles over the wild, watery waste of this world, can we say—
“ALL’S WELL”?
Thank God, the Christian has resources for the darkest day. Whatever the circumstances may be, with the eye on Christ, and the Holy Ghost within ungrieved, all is divinely well. The believer can go on through this scene of decay, disappointment, and death, like the Master, without a single ruffle. Things may go badly in the Church and world, things ecclesiastical and things political may arise of the most disquieting nature. No matter, the believer’s mind is stayed upon God. He may be tossed by the wave, the wind may blow like a hurricane; his heart is garrisoned with the very peace of heaven—the peace of God—which cannot be disturbed.
“LIGHT BURNING BRIGHT.”
Can you say this? Is all well with you, Christian reader? Will any of your ways not bear the scrutiny of God’s eye, or of His Word? Will you be found ashamed at His coming? See to it that your light—the light of testimony—burns brightly, the testimony of life and lip. Hold forth the word of life by your ways and words. The darker the day the more need for it. The more universal the sloth the more reason for vigilance. Oh, to be zealous for God’s glory in a godless world!
At last the vigilance of the look-out man came to an end. The steamer, after the icy blast’s of the north and its rude seas, steamed into the zephyr breezes and smooth seas of the tropics. As we landed everyone was enchanted. The rippleless sea, the beautiful land, with its bright sun and blue sky, like fairyland, charmed the most prosaic.
As we landed, however, we were searched. The Custom-house officials demanded the keys of our baggage, and all our private belongings had to be examined.
So, friend, after we have finished our rough voyage of life we shall land on shores brighter and more enchanting than those of earth. But we must be searched. “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” How solemn! How it should affect our lives now! Not to be searched, surely, as to our fitness for glory. The work of Christ has settled all that, apart from our practice altogether. “If any man’s work abide … he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” Thank God, our persons shall never come into judgment. We shall have bodies of glory like Christ in that day. But we shall have our luggage examined; in other words, our life—the whole of our history, before and after conversion—gone into, in all its motives and secret working. Everything done with a single eye to Christ’s glory shall receive reward. Our persons shall never be judged; our work will—our lives. It may be a man’s work will be burned, until the searching fire of God’s judgment leaves nothing at all, He suffers loss, yet the man shall be saved. “Yet so as by fire” are the solemn words of Scripture.
May the little incidents of the voyage speak to all our hearts, giving us more dependence on God, more watchfulness over self, more desire to be found here for Christ and His glory only, so that in that day much shall be found to His praise, and our reward will but add to the glory of the Giver.