Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have been enjoying reading Jonathan Aitken biography of 'John Newton'. It is a well written book that neatly interweaves historical fact with spiritual insight. Aitken's work also has the freshness you would expect from a man who has recently experienced God's amazing grace in his own life.

I have been struck by the numerous times that the life of John Newton was preserved by God before his conversion. Knowledge of such events gives new meaning to the line in Amazing Grace, 'through many dangers toils and snares'.

Consider the following brushes with death he experienced,

• At the age of twelve, Newton fell from his horse narrowly avoiding being impaled by a sharp spike protruding from a hedgerow.
  
• Newton had arranged to visit a man-of-war with a friend anchored of the coast of Purfleet. He was delayed in his journey and missed his quayside rendezvous with his friend. However his disappointment turned to relief when the Man-of-War's longboat hit an underwater obstacle and capsized.
• Harsh experiences as a sailor caused him to contemplate suicide by throwing himself into the sea.
• Near starvation and exposure to the elements while held captive on the Plantanes.
• While in Africa, on Cape Lopez, Newton and a number of other companions made a journey inland. During this hunting expedition they became hopelessly lost in territory renowned for its predatory animals. Thankfully the moon and stars emerged from behind the clouds enabling the party to find their way back to the ship.
• Almost drowning on the Greyhound as a result of the ship being battered by North Atlantic gales.

Reflecting upon what he called these 'calls, warnings and deliverance's' was one of the means God used to bring him to Christ.

His scrapes with death continued after his conversion. For example, Newton narrowly avoided shooting himself with a rifle while attending a shooting party with the mayor of Londonderry.

God's preserving grace brought John Newton safely through all these dangers. Too often we are unaware that the same grace is necessary for each one of us.

May we live our lives with the awareness that at all times we are dependent on God to keep and sustain us.

As Newton said,

'Thus when we think of ourselves in the greatest safety we are no less exposed to danger than when all seems conspiring to destroy us. The divine providence that is sufficient to deliver us in our utmost extremity is equally necessary in the most peaceful situations.'