Thanksgiving Illustration
A steamer was carrying 323 passengers on a chilly evening in early September. She was brilliantly lighted and loaded with travelers. Suddenly, before the boat reached the port of Chicago, she began to sink. Obviously, before help could arrive, she’d be gone. The crowd on the shore watched the tragedy; most felt powerless to help.
Two brothers, students in a theological seminary, plunged through the crowd with a rope in their hands. Nat, the elder, a powerful man and a trained swimmer, leaped into the waves. Inch by inch, he fought his way through the waves until he reached the sinking ship and climbed aboard. A moment later, he carried a woman back to safety. With eager arms the crowd helped to haul him in; he was choking and cold, but still strong. Again he plunged in—and again—and again!
Twenty-three lives Nat Spencer saved. For weeks he lay delirious. Meanwhile the twenty-three, whom he saved, scattered to their homes. In time, the nation began to forget the tragedy of the death of three hundred in Lake Michigan. But the twenty-three whom he had saved, surely they didn’t forget, did they? Surely, they were grateful! Well, not one of them ever came back to thank Nat Spencer for what he had done. Not one of them even wrote him a letter. Nat Spencer lived out his life as an invalid. Not one of the twenty-three people ever said, “Thank you.”
Surely, we who are saved by Christ should express our gratitude by word and deed to the One who gave his life for us, who died and rose again so that we might have our sins forgiven and enjoy peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This has been our most precious treasure in life. Without it, we have no hope, no real happiness; we are actually helpless. But with it, how wonderful life is! What an impact this should make upon us! Where can you find a friend so dependable, so generous, and so faithful as our gracious God?
Have your friends been as faithful as he? How about your loved ones? How about your employer or employees? Your government? Ah, if our blessings depend completely upon men, oh, how miserable we would be! Maybe men or women can give us some provisions of life, but who can provide us with all our necessities, especially peace in times of trouble, lasting comfort at times of death, and assurance of joys in heaven? None of them can! Only God can, for he alone is faithful. As the Bible says, “Keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him” (Dan 9:4 KJV).