I had one of the best jobs that any 19-year-old young man could have — I was stationed in the Hawaiian Islands where I ran a motor launch, which is a 22-foot naval vessel. I made runs early in the morning from shore to the USS Solace, a hospital ship. I brought off-duty officers and enlisted men back to their assigned posts. These trips were so quiet and beautiful. It was a perfect way to start a new day.
It was a warm Sunday morning in December in Pearl Harbor. As I left the USS Solace the harbor was so peaceful and beautiful. I started crossing the harbor and was just enjoying the trip, lying on my back watching the clouds sweeping across the sky, when suddenly in the distance I noticed smoke. Smoke was rolling up from the oil tanks, billowing up like a tornado. As I watched the fire and smoke, a plane flew out of the smoke and rocketed straight up. I thought to myself, “That’s something new; we are fighting fire by plane now!” More and more planes came into the action and flew back into the clouds. As I got closer another plane rocketed out of the clouds. That’s when I noticed the wing markings ... an orange sun! The Japanese were attacking Pearl Harbor, and they were bombing our oil tanks!
Boys and girls, when I was younger I sat in Sunday school and heard how the Lord Jesus loved me. I heard how, because of my sins, He shed His precious blood and died on Calvary’s cross, and that He rose again from the dead. I sat in gospel meetings and heard that the Lord Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost in their sins. I also heard about Jesus and His love from an old lady who took care of me one day. As she was ironing she explained to me how Jesus loved me and wanted to wash my sins away, if I would only ask Him to. I didn’t wait any longer. I asked Jesus to wash my sins away that same day before I went home.
Without a moment’s notice the ships that sat quietly at rest were being bombed. We raced to the aid of these ships that were hit with the deadly bombs, helping wounded men to safety. Oil had covered the water and caught on fire, taking precious lives. We couldn’t work fast enough! We then docked to the USS Arizona, and at that point a bomb made a direct hit. The blast shot over our heads and the ship rolled over with a gasp. Some of the men were able to swim to safety, but thousands lost their lives.
We had just made another run to the hospital ship with the wounded and were on our way back out when a Japanese Zero dropped out of the clouds and spotted our motor launch. My heart stood still!
At that instant across my mind flashed memories of sitting in Sunday school, gospel meetings, and listening to that dear old lady telling me how Jesus loved me and died for me. I was so thankful I had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour back then... I knew I was ready to die.
The pilot of the Zero released three bombs not more than 50 feet away! The plane came so close I could see the pilot....
I cried to the Lord Jesus to spare us, and He answered me, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” Isaiah 41:1010Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10).
I watched the place where the bombs had dropped, never moving my eyes. Not one bomb exploded! The Lord took those bombs to the bottom of the harbor and left them there!
Boys and girls, have you heard the Lord Jesus calling you? He is. He is calling right now. Satan, the enemy of our souls, is trying to keep you from thinking about your sins and the punishment you will have to bear for them if you do not accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. He is your only escape. Trust Him right now and be saved.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:8,98But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8‑9).
ML-04/13/1986