RESCUE

Greg is an avid kayaker. Along with his two sons, they decided to make a trip on the Tennessee River. Together they had a great day paddling until they hit a section where five-foot swells continually pounded them. His boys were in larger kayaks and had little difficulty cutting through the waves. Soon they were far away from Greg. But their dad hit a portion in the middle of the river where he could no longer cut through the waves and he began to take on water. With only a water bottle to bail he continued to sink. Calmly recognizing that his life was in serious danger, he prayed, “God, I need Your help, there is nothing I can do.”

Almost immediately after praying, his son Shawn, pulled alongside of him. “Dad, are you alright? I heard you call me.” Greg was stunned to see his son and said, “Son, I didn’t call you.”

“Yes, you did, I clearly heard you call my name.” Shawn then pulled out a bilge pump and was able to empty the water out of his dad’s kayak and help him get to shore.

Meditation

Psalm 46:1—God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.

Our ministry team enjoyed our brief stay with Greg and Helena Garcia as we crossed the country. God used Greg to open up a filming opportunity in Clarksville, Tennessee with Harold Witmore that will give First Cause television exposure and Lord-willing, help us raise the $44,000 we need to open a training center in Nigeria. But what encouraged me more than Greg’s help was reflecting on the growth in his life as he faithfully lives to serve God. His river rescue story is both amazing and a great reminder of how blessed we are to have a Savior we can call on at anytime for help.

Panic is the natural response to danger. Greg did not panic when it looked hopeless. He knew his life belonged to God and therefore he sought his Father’s help. Calmness in calamity is the supernatural response that comes from faith. When the sons of Korah wrote the verse of meditation above, they shared from experience a timeless truth. In times of trouble, God is here to be found. When your next time of adversity comes, remember that and you will be able to sing with the writers the next verse, “Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah.”

Inspiration

Rescue is the constant pattern of God’s activity.—John Eldredge in Wild at Heart