“SOS... SOS... SOS,” the radio operator sent out his call for help. “Help! We are sinking!” was his call. Far out on the Pacific Ocean a little ship, the Helen B. Sterling, was fighting to stay afloat in a terrible storm. Mountain-high waves were sweeping over her decks. Again and again they crashed over the ship. Water was pouring in through several damaged areas, and it seemed that it would be impossible to keep the vessel afloat much longer.
Going again to the radio cabin, the captain told the operator to continue sending out the SOS call. Maybe someone somewhere would pick it up, although the captain knew there was little hope of another ship being close enough.
Do you know that you need help? Do you realize that you are in danger because you have sinned—and that you cannot help yourself? Or are you still looking around to see if there is something you can do to please God? We know from the Bible that there is only one way to be saved from our sins, and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).
The Lord Jesus is waiting for your SOS call for help. Do not be afraid, like the captain, that no one will hear. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:11Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (Isaiah 59:1). He is waiting and wants to save you. He shed His blood on the cross so that sinners just like you and me can be saved.
All that you have to do is believe that He died for your sins.
The storm grew worse, and the brave sailors realized that they could not last much longer. The ship was beginning to break apart from the constant pounding of the waves. Again and again the radio message went out “SOS... SOS... SOS.” Would anyone hear?
Many miles away the Australian battleship Melbourne was steaming toward home. Suddenly the SOS call from the Helen B. Sterling was received on the radio, and the message was quickly sent to the captain. Immediately the great battleship changed her course and at full speed headed toward the sinking ship.
As the hours passed, the Sterling, battered by the mighty waves, was slowly filling up with water. Could the Melbourne reach her in time? It seemed impossible.
Going to the radio cabin again, the captain had the following message sent out: “Can’t last another hour. Waterlogged. Sea sweeping right over us. Clearing boats, but impossible to survive in these seas. Good-bye.”
Is this the call of your heart and life? I hope that it is! As sad as it may seem, it is only when we know that there is nothing we can do to help ourselves that we will turn to God, who has been waiting to save us. He is willing, able and wants to save us. We only need to ask Him.
Although the message from the Sterling was sent without any hope of reply, the answer from the Melbourne was “music” to their ears— “We are certain to reach you. Keep heart!”
The captain of the Melbourne kept his word. Just before the Sterling sank, the great battleship came alongside. With much difficulty the crew of the sinking ship was brought on board to safety.
Sometimes boys and girls don’t really understand that they cannot get to heaven while they still have their sins. To be rescued from their sins, they must first call for help. The battleship Melbourne would not have even known about the Sterling if the call for help had not been sent. But God knows all about you, and He is just waiting for your call to be saved.
ML-05/22/1983