Make That Distress Call Now!
Good News – November 2012 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Make That Distress Call Now!
“Your ship is sinking, and your life is in danger.”
Two years ago 26 people aboard a charter fishing boat were enjoying a day of fishing until they hit a rock that put a bowling-ball-size hole in the hull. Their vessel was 15 miles south of San Diego when it began taking on water.
Realizing they were in trouble, they sent out an SOS, a Mayday signal – the international signal for a distress call. The call for help was heard, and the United States Coast Guard and San Diego harbor police responded and rescued all 26 people.
They were saved because they did the right thing when they realized they were in trouble, and made a distress call to someone who was both willing and able to save them.
The Bible contains many stories of people who made distress calls when they were in trouble. When they called on the Lord to save them, He heard their cry for help and responded.
David is a good example. When faced with enemies who wanted to kill him, he sent out a distress signal in prayer to God: “In my distress I called upon the LORD ... and my cry came before Him, even to His ears” (Ps. 18:6 NKJV).
What about you? If you’re living your life without Jesus Christ, you are in deep trouble and need immediate help. Your ship is sinking, and your life is in danger. Your trouble is sin, and its penalty is eternal separation from God.
Perhaps you feel you are OK because you see no immediate threat or danger, but the Bible says we’re all sinners facing death (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Unless you respond to your sinful condition with an SOS signal you face judgment and deadly consequences (Heb. 9:27; Rev. 20:15).
The only way to be saved from your sins is by asking Jesus Christ, the Savior, to rescue you. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). God loves you and wants to rescue you: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).
Jesus is eager to save you. He’s waiting for your distress call: “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13). Make it now and He will rush to your rescue. Trust in Him for forgiveness of your sins and for eternal life. Then you will know the joy of being saved. We can tell you more.
By Roscoe Barnes III
What Does “Mayday” Mean? “Mayday” is an emergency code word used internationally as a distress signal. It is derived from the French venez m’aider, which means “come help me.” It is used by police, pilots, firefighters, the United States Coast Guard and ships at sea to signal a life-threatening emergency. The call is always given three times in a row – “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” – to prevent missing it due to radio static or noisy conditions.