Smoke Signals

Richard Wurmbrand, in his devotional book entitle Reaching Toward the Heights, shared one of my favorite stories.

Once a man was shipwrecked on a deserted Island. As the lone survivor, he endeavored to make it on the Island by building a small hut from lumber salvaged from the wreckage. To stay warm, he built a small fire in the hut.

Every morning he would scan the horizon and pray for someone to come to his rescue. After his morning prayer one day, he walked across the Island searching for food. After he had gathered a small amount of fruit, he returned to find his hut engulfed in flames.

Devastated by this loss, the man fell face-down in the sand and begin to scream, "Why God? Why? Now I have nothing. Why haven't you answered my prayer!"

Dejected, the man stared at the horizon. Suddenly, a small "dot" appeared and seemed to be headed in his direction. After some time, the man realized a ship was drawing ever closer to his island. Then, to his delight, he saw the large ship drop anchor. The captain of the vessel boarded a small boat and came ashore.

The man hugged the ship's captain and asked, "How did you ever find me?" The man said, "We saw your smoke signal."

Many times difficulties come our way and we don't understand why. But don't forget, God may be solving a problem in a way you would have never dreamed. So, during times of hardship, seek to find God's wisdom.

Joseph's brothers were jealous of him and sold him as a slave. Thus, he spent many challenging years in Egypt. However, during a famine, the brothers were forced to travel to Egypt in order to find food. Eventually, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers. Obviously, they were terrified, expected to be killed at any moment.

Joseph comforted his brothers by saying, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive (Gen. 50:19)."

Even personal attacks can have positive outcomes. So, remember God is in control.

(You will find the Joseph story in the Bible: Genesis, Chapters 37-50.)