JOSHUA TIME 387

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for GOD to rescue him,but every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemedforthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a littlehut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, andto store his few possessions.One day, after scavenging for food he arrived home to find hislittle hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. Theworst had happened, and everything was lost.He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. "GOD, howcould you do this to me?" he cried.Early the next day he was awakened by the sound of a ship thatwas approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How didyou know I was here?", asked the weary man of his rescuers. "Wesaw your smoke signal," they replied.It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but weshouldn't lose heart, because GOD is at work in our lives, evenin the midst of pain, and suffering.Remember that, the next time your little hut seems to beburning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal thatsummons the grace of GOD.