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Prepare Yourself: Icebergs Ahead By Patrick Read Like the Titanic, we must navigate dangerous waters. But God shows how we can make it through safely.
he sinking of the oceanliner HMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, is remembered as one of the most dramatic events of the 20th century. In a mere four hours after striking an iceberg, the largest passenger ship yet built sank while on its maiden voyage, claiming the lives of 1,517 persons. It was thought to be so safe it wasn't even equipped with enough lifeboats for all the passengers. Someone said, "Not even God Himself could sink her." But she did sink, and the wreckage still lies at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Newfoundland.
The history of the Titanic provides some good lessons for Christians. It's easy to be overconfident after starting one's voyage as a new child of God. It's easy to neglect important details, and as the saying goes, "the devil is in the details." Above all, it's easy to follow "what seems right" and neglect to rely on our Owner and Captain through prayer, Bible study and humble obedience (Proverbs 14:12; 3:5). Do we think we're unsinkable? Are we so sure of ourselves we feel we only need a few lifeboats, if any at all? Would we not listen to or ignore warnings of potential danger? Or will we take heed to the things we have been taught?
Let's compare our lives with a ship trying to navigate an ocean filled with icebergs. The icebergs, small and big, are the temptations, trials and tribulations that threaten to discourage and destroy us. And we have but one life to live. We must not sink. Let's look at some of the valuable lessons we can learn from the story of the Titanic. Lesson One: In 1 Corinthians 10:12 we read, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." We do not know when Jesus Christ will return to take His rightful place as King and Lord of all nations. We do know, before He does come, the whole world will be thrown into utter turmoil. We will be severely persecuted because of Satan's intense hatred for God and His people. He will use whatever devices he can to separate and destroy us including instilling thoughts of superiority or causing us to feel invincible. Those are just two of his tools. Satan is the biggest iceberg we will ever face. Will you face him on your own, or will you allow God to be your Captain and steer you through time after time? Satan will always try to get in our way. He will always put obstacles in our way, but he can only "sink" us if we fail to draw close to God and watch as we have been warned. We should never be cocky, overly confident or possess an attitude of invincibility. Without the continual help, love, support and mercy God gives us, we are nothing. If we try to rely on our own strength or knowledge, we simply will not make it pass all the icebergs. So who will you be? Will you be one who allows God to be your Captain through the world with its many hazards? Or will you be like the captain of the Titanic and cast caution to the wind? Lesson Two: In Hebrews 10:25 we find: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
We cannot fail if we properly prepare for our own tribulations by having God as our Captain and truly following His instructions and leadership. A major part of His instruction includes having love one for another (John 13:34-35). We should pay particular attention to the last part of Hebrews 10:25, "...so much the more as you see the Day approaching." That day includes the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord (Matthew 24:21,29-31). Lesson Three: Matthew 25:13 tells us, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." The Titanic had received several warnings from other ships in the area of the grave danger in the ocean that night. The captain was told to slow down and alter his course. Whether he did not hear those warnings or he simply chose to ignore them, the result of his negligence was deadly.
The word watch is used 57 times throughout the Bible. A dictionary defines this word as: "to be constantly on the alert; give earnest heed; to be observant, vigilant or attentive, to take preventive measures; take care and watch that you are not caught." The Titanic had someone posted on watch on that deadly night. But by the time he saw the iceberg, it was too late to avoid it. The apostle Paul warned of a prevailing attitude in the end time: "For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Will we be caught off guard because we failed to be attentive and to watch? We need to stir up one another and remind each other that in spite of what appears to be clear sailing, real dangers are lurking in the darkness. We cannot allow ourselves or our relationships to slip into complacency. As our trials become increasingly severe, we are going to need one another's support. Lesson Four: Hebrews 11:36 reveals, "Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented."
This scripture gives us several things to contemplate:
We must stay close to God to "be counted worthy to escape all these things [icebergs] that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36). Then think of the Great Tribulation as the super iceberg that looms in our future. By the time it occurs, hopefully this is what God will say to you: "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth" (Revelation 3:10).
God expects His children to be strong and of good courage. He expects us to endure to the end, no matter what we face. He also expects us to be attentive and watch the signs of the times. The Titanic was warned. We have also been warned! There are icebergs floating about in the spiritual sea we are in. Some can be avoided, others cannot. The unavoidable icebergs must be met with complete assurance God is at the helm and will not let us sink. Romans 8:35-39 stands as a constant reminder of God's everlasting love. It is a sure promise to each and every one of His children that as long as we remain faithful and true, He is always there for us and with us. No amount of tribulation or persecution can ever stop that! Verse 35 asks, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Paul's answer is that none of these things these "icebergs" can separate us from the safety of the love of God (verse 39). For more about navigating the Christian life, request or download the free booklet . Copyright 2007 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Keywords: overconfidence fellowship watch prepared Titanic
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