This week I would like to share a story about faith with you. When we pray to God, if we have faith and also believe, He will answer. It may not always be the answer we want, but it will be what God wants for us. “Faith on an Island” Author Unknown
Faith on an Island
A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert-like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agree that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained barren. After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing.
Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.
Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered. As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a booming voice from heaven, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”
“My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything.”
“You are mistaken!” the Voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.”
“Tell me,” the first man asked. “What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”
“He prayed that all your prayers be answered.”
For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.
Author Unknown
Such a powerful story with a lot of underlying spiritual principles. Both men prayed to God. Let’s take a closer look at this story…
1. First pride came into this situation. Both men divided and separated the island. Was this done to see who was better at communicating with god? Was this a competition? Matthew 18:19 says, “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” They would have been much more powerful together.
2. The first man’s prayer was for his needs… Food. Then he prayed for the things that would satisfy his desires. In simple terms this is greed! Mark 8:36 tells us, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” He received everything he needed and desired and the other man received nothing. This could be called paradise, but It still wasn’t enough. He wanted to leave.
3. As he was leaving, he was asked about the other man on the island. Let’s look at a couple of things here.
A. Judgment – He judged this man and felt he was unworthy of God’s blessings. After all, God only blessed him. God did not answer the other man’s prayers. Romans 12:3 says, “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
B. Pride – God thought he was better because God answered his prayers. Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
C. Selfishness – Notice that he did not share anything with the other man. When he prayed he only prayed for himself and his desires. It was all about him. Would leave this man on the island because he thought God only favored him. 1 Corinthians 10:24 tells us, “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”
D. Truth – God revealed the truth by telling him that he only answered the other man’s prayer. This other man was praying for him.
This brings me to my final point, Some self proclaimed Christians will have God proclaim He doesn’t know them. God may have taken care of their needs and wants on this island we call earth, due to the prayers of others. After death they might find out the real truth. Matthew 7:21-23 says this, “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I (Jesus) will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
In closing, I want to ask you a question. If you were standing in front of God, What will God reveal about you? The truth will be known. Will you try to justify your actions on earth? Will God welcome you to Heaven? Or say to you I do not know you… Depart from Me. Not Sure?
Maybe you have never believed and trusted in God. Or maybe you have believed in God, but the world has started to replace God and put some doubt in your life. If this sounds like you, it’s time to put any doubt behind you. My friend, you can be sure today , and there is no better time than now.
Please… if you don’t know Christ or have fallen away please pray… Tell God you believe His Son Jesus paid for your sins and rose again. Tell God you are sorry and want to start Living for Him. He will forgive your sins and mistakes and give you Everlasting Life with Him… and place His Spirit deep within your heart. In 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I pray that God will truly Help and Bless you. If you would like for me to pray with you, please email me at Bob.L@magnificentPromises.com.
I thank you for reading my blog. I do not claim to be any expert or affiliated with any religious organization. All I can say is that I’m affiliated with my Lord Jesus Christ. This is one man’s opinion and observations. My hope is I stirred up some thoughts for you to think about. There is one place where we can find all the answers to life. That road map is Commonly known as the Bible. If you want the answers to life all you have to do is read. If you would like me to pray with you or want to send a comment please email me at Bob.L@magnificentpromises.com
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
