abide in the ship

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Except ye abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.”  Acts 27:31

The storm had gone on for days.  The ship tossed and driven by the wind and waves.  Hope all seemed but lost.  The sailors were sure they would perish.  Then out of the darkness the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country.  Excited, they let down the life boats and prepared to leave the ship.

It was then Paul spoke:  “Except ye abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.”  His words probably seemed unreasonable to the frightened seaman, but they cut the ropes anyway and stayed with the ship.  As a result, not a life was lost. 

Sometimes we may be tempted to abandon the old ship of Zion, but the only way to be saved is to abide in the ship.

Rev. DB