Lifesavers

The most unsuccessful flavor of Life Savers candy was called Malt-O-Milk. Introduced in 1920, it was poorly received by the public and dropped after a couple years. At some time in your life, you have probably sampled the small circular candy called “Life Savers.” The little ring-shaped mints and fruit-flavored candies come in a roll wrapped in aluminum foil. Clarence Crane created them in 1912 as a “summer candy” that wouldn’t melt like chocolate. Their name comes from their similarity in shape to lifebuoys, which are used for saving people who fall overboard from boats.

Lifesavers have been around long before 1912—I mean the type used to rescue people from drowning. Some believe the “kisby ring” was first invented by Thomas Kisbee (1792–1877), a British naval officer. Today, many lifebuoys actually have saltwater activators that cause a light to come on inside the buoy, making night rescues easier. The apostle Paul might have appreciated such a lifesaver during a shipwreck he experienced. While being taken on a ship to Rome as a prisoner, he warned the ship’s crew against sailing out of a certain harbor during the storm season and risking the ship and passengers.

His wise counsel was ignored—and all on board would have been lost, except for Paul’s prayerful intercession. An angel told Paul everyone would be spared but that the ship would be wrecked. As predicted, the ship ran aground and broke into pieces. Passengers soon began to jump overboard and cling to boards and floating cargo. Perhaps this is the closest reference in Scripture to lifesavers!

Our proverb this evening depicts wisdom as a lifesaver that will preserve us through the storms of life. It also tells us that discretion will keep us safe. Knowledge that comes from God helps us to make responsible decisions. Like a good lifebuoy, we can depend on the truth we find in Scripture to protect us from making foolish choices. Clinging to worldly philosophy will only sink us. But like the words of the angel to Paul, wisdom and obedience will give us heavenly buoyancy.

If you are weighed down because you are trying to make an important decision, seek the wisdom of Scripture. Study your Bible for answers. Use your concordance and follow the truths you uncover. Like a lifesaver, God’s wisdom will float your life.

Dear God, today I place all my choices into your hands. I ask for your divine wisdom to guide all my decisions today. May Jesus be my lifesaver!

Additional reading: Proverbs 2:10–22

Key Bible Texts

When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: (Proverbs 2:10-11 KJV)