In the early 1870’s one third of the
prisoners in southwest England were sailors who had signed up for a voyage and
backed out because they felt the ship was overloaded. That was the law, once
signed, the sailor could not back out.
Interesting, the reason so many did
back out of their promise. In 1873 an astonishing 411 ships sank, taking hundreds of sailors to
a watery grave. Why so many disasters? Because ships were overloaded by greedy
owners, for when the ship sank, insurance carried by the owners made sure he
did not suffer loss. And lives of sailors meant nothing to him.
Enter Samuel Plimsoll (1824-1898). Elected
to Parliament, he finally persuaded his fellow members to pass a law calling for
a line to show how deep the vessel could safely be loaded. It took another 14
years before the law was established to
set that line at the correct place. International law now calls for a Plimsoll line on
every ship.
It would be a blessing if there were
such a line to make living safe and secure. St. Paul,in his letter to Corinth,
speaks an assurance. He wrote,
“God is faithful, who will
not allow you to be tempted above
That you are able, but will
with the temptation also make a
Way to escape, that you will
be able to bear it.” 1 Cor.10,13.
Further, the Lord also gives us such direction
as this, “Flee youthful lusts”, and many words of advice such as that. “Better
safe than sorry” is an aphorism that says much to keep us safely walking as God’s
children.
His loving care sends His angels to “Keep
thee in all thy ways”. For us, as God’s children, the words of Psalm 23 lend us
sure comfort, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” is true every day.
GPD 5/28/14
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