Twenty-six people aboard a charter fishing boat were enjoying their time of fishing when their vessel hit a rock, which put a bowling-ball-sized hole in the hull. They were fifteen miles south of San Diego when their vessel began taking on water. They were going down.
Realizing the trouble they were in, someone sent out a mayday signal, the international signal for a distress call. The call for help was heard, prompting the Coast Guard and San Diego Harbor Police to respond with mighty rescue efforts. Everyone was saved.
These people were saved because someone did the right thing when they realized they were in trouble. Someone made a distress call to the people who were both willing and able to save them.
The Bible has many stories of people who made distress calls when they found themselves in trouble. When they called on the Lord God to save them, He heard their cry for help and saved them. David is a good example. When he faced trouble with enemies who wanted to kill him, he sent out a distress signal to God through prayer. “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple” (Psalm 18:6).
What about you? If you’re living a life without Christ, then you are in trouble, and you need help. Your ship is sinking, and your life is going down. Your trouble exists because of sin and its penalty, eternal separation from God.
Perhaps you feel you’re OK and that you see no threat or imminent danger, but the Bible says we’re all sinners (Romans 6:23). This means that no one measures up to God’s standards. Unless the sin problem is properly addressed, then you will face judgment with severe consequences (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:15).
The only way to take care of sin is by believing on Christ alone to rescue you. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
God is ready and eager to save you. He’s waiting for you to take action. He is listening for your distress call. “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Make your call today, and let Him rush to your rescue. Trust in Him alone for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Then you will know the joy of having a brand new life.