The Life Preserver

The Life Preserver

The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. Psalm 145:18-19

Belfast, Northern Ireland, was the birthplace of two very remarkable things. The most recent was my grandson, Callum, but it was also the birthplace of the RMS Titanic.

In 1912, the Titanic was the largest cruise ship ever built, and its construction was considered a wonder of the world. Most experts believed it was unsinkable, and it was expected to break every transatlantic crossing record on its maiden voyage. But late on the evening of April 14, 1912, the ship collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic. Within three hours, the unsinkable ship had sunk, killing more than 1,500 people.

When the ship departed from Southampton, United Kingdom, it had more than 2,200 people aboard but only enough lifeboats for half.

On a recent trip to Northern Ireland, Karen and I visited the Titanic Museum in Belfast. As we walked through the corridors, a sense of reverence overcame me. The recording of the last message sent was an urgent SOS to whatever ships were in the area. I thought of how there must have been a flood of desperate prayers as those 1,500 men, women, and children called out to God to save them before they took their last breath.

Reflecting on those desperate cries for help, I realized that although those people perished, God heard each voice that cried out. He answered their prayers, not by bringing them safely to New York City as they had planned, but by bringing them directly to his dwelling place for them in heaven.

Today’s verse reminds me that even amid great tragedy, God’s arms are outstretched to all who want to be saved.

TODAY’S RX

In times of trouble, trial, and tragedy, we have two choices: We can either run away from God or we can run to him and receive his protection and healing—even when the outcome is not what we expected.

God, there is so much pain and tragedy in this world. Sometimes it feels as if there is little hope. Rescue this broken world. Help us to see your light and remember that you are near.