A dazzling flash ripped through the black night. The first rocket off the Titanic soared up far above the high masts and rigging. It burst with a distant, muffled thump. Bright white stars showered quietly downward to the sea.
About ten miles away, James Gibson stood on the bridge of the Californian. Questions flooded his mind. What ship was that to the east? Why had it stopped moving? Or had it simply turned away from the ice? And why—just why—would a ship fire rockets at night? Were they celebrating something?
A few minutes before, James thought he had seen the ship’s Morse code lamp signaling. He answered with his own lamp, but then decided the stranger’s masthead light must be flickering.
He peered into the darkness. The lights on the ship looked strange. Could they be tilting? Now he noticed the red side light had disappeared. What was happening?
On the Californian, James set his binoculars down just in time to see the sixth rocket explode high in the black sky. He wondered again, What is that ship doing? Why the rockets? They can’t be for fun!
On the Titanic, Captain Smith told the cold and terrified passengers in lifeboat number eight to row over to the mystery ship that seemed so close. Row ten miles in time to bring help? Impossible!
By radio, Morse lamp and rockets, the dying ship had asked for help. None came. How glad we can be that in our trouble and sin God hears us and comes near to help us.
A man drew near to Jesus in a town and pleaded for the Lord to heal him of his disease.
The Lord Jesus was not only willing but able to heal the man-and He did so at once.
The prophet Isaiah also wrote this way about God: “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isa. 59:11Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (Isaiah 59:1)). Begin reading in your Bible and learn of His desire to respond to your cry for help. He is standing nearby to help and will be there the moment you realize just how lost you really are.
Remember the shortest prayer in the Bible: “Lord, save me!” Peter cried these words as he sank in the deep water. Immediately the Lord grasped him and saved him. He is able and willing to do the same for your sinking soul.
You don’t need dazzling rockets to call to Him!