TITANIC TAUNT

Photos and artwork from www.brittanica.com

We've been deluged by The Titanic again. 

The movie's producers---using the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking as an excuse to squeeze more cash from this tragedy of titanic proportions---relaunched the movie in 3D.


We were of course one of the first to queue. But I found its 3D effects bland compared to movies purposely made for 3D viewing---when objects almost literally fly off the screen to your face. With or without 3D, I love the movie anyway. It's been excellently produced. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio make it even more unforgettable.


One luxury liner recently retraced the ship's journey from Southampton, England to New York City; its passengers dressed in 1912 regalia to relive its luxurious maiden voyage.

And the latest from Australia's 5th richest: Clive Palmer announced his plan to build a Titanic 2 which will set sail in 2016---the same luxurious boat but equipped with 21st century technology.  

Before the original Titanic sailed, its captain, Edward Smith said, "I cannot imagine any condition which would cause a ship to founder... Modern shipbuilding has gone beyond that."

"Not even God could sink this ship." This famous quote has been mostly attributed to the owner of the Titanic but sources say it's from a deck hand responding to a passenger asking if the ship was really unsinkable.

Whoever uttered what is not the issue. But don't these words say a lot about our tendency to trust man-made things or systems, or ourselves?

Consider this survey released recently by Discovery News: Germany counts the most number of atheists at 52%; atheists from the Philippines are at 1%. Asked if they believe in God, 84% Filipinos said yes; Germans-8%; Japanese-4%.

History attests how rich nations have fallen flat on their faces. Once powerful countries like the US and those in Europe now face monumental economic crises. Japan literally dealt with a tsunami and a financial and nuclear power meltdown. Once powerful men who lorded it over thousands, even millions, continue to fall under the most humbling circumstances.  

So if anything must be harvested from the Titanic, let them be lessons on humility, the futility of man's ways, the triumph of faith, and the value of trusting no one else but God.

Psalm 20:7:  "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."

Jesus said in John 14: 1: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Proverbs 3:5: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...

Several weeks back, Pastor Etienne shared: Jesus is in our boat! When He told His disciples (Mark 4:35), "Let us go over to the other side," He didn't let them cross the sea alone. He was in the boat with them! Though they faced a violet storm and feared for their lives, they arrived safe---because Jesus was with them!


The Titanic hit a gigantic iceberg. Its three million rivets didn't hold. Yet they bragged it was a titan of a ship. 

So instead of tempting God, or putting our trust in things, trust Jesus. Whatever happens, He is the Rock of Ages whom no one could come against.