The Leap of Faith

“Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee”

The salmon is a common fish native to northern waters of the Atlantic and Pacific coastal regions. This remarkable creature is hatched in fresh water as a baby, and then it migrates far away to live most of its life in the salt water of the ocean. Finally, when the time comes for the salmon to breed, it returns back to its original birthplace—fresh water—often even to the same exact stream where it hatched. Scientists believe that the fish remembers the location partly through its sense of smell and other factors. But regardless of exactly how this happens, there is no question that the mighty hand of God is what guides this amazing journey.

In order to achieve its goal of returning home, the salmon must swim against an extremely strong current. This is a very difficult task! The fish often must leap into the air to make its way against the surging waves. In fact, the name “salmon” comes from the Latin term, salmo, which means “leaper.” It’s not easy to swim against a strong current forcefully pushing you from the opposite direction! Yet the brave salmon does not give up.

What is one thing we can learn from the Creator by observing the life of this fish?

Right now we are living in the time of the Third Angel’s Message—the most solemn message given by God since time began. Very soon, most of the world will try to force people to accept the mark of the beast—a symbol of humans pretending to be more important than their Creator. But God will have a people faithful and true who will spiritually “swim against the current” by moving forward in the face of the rushing tide of wickedness. “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).

So, when hard problems arise, look to Jesus for strength. He will guide you back to the fresh waters of life, the fountain of purity. Just as the salmon gathers strength to leap above the challenge faced, Christ your Creator is there to help you, too.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets” (Luke 6:22, 23, emphasis added).