God rescues us from danger

WE were cruising back to harbor when we noticed a catamaran capsized in the water. The crew was obviously in distress as it tried without success to right her. Quickly we sped over the waves to see if we could help. Each of us in his own way was praying to be shown what to do. Three young people had been in the water without life preservers, clinging to the catamaran for some time, when we reached them. We took the girl on board, and on the second attempt we were able to get a rope around one of the catamaran's floats and gently pull the craft to its correct position. The two boys who had been on the catamaran then got back in her and we all gratefully headed for harbor. The whole rescue took under an hour, but during that time everyone on our boat was praying. We rejoiced in the knowledge that God is in control of His universe and that man is safe in His care. This is a powerful spiritual truth that can be proved, even when appearances strongly contradict it. God is divine Mind, supreme intelligence, maintaining the well-being of His offspring. And in turning to the divine Mind through prayer we can be shown the right action to take.

Christ Jesus and his disciples were once caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee.1 Jesus, so conscious of his Father's presence, was able to bring calm to the water and to his disciples' fears. The Apostle Paul, who proved many times God's power and guidance, was rescued from an assassination attempt when over forty men took an oath not to eat anything until they had killed him.2 And in the Old Testament, when Daniel was delivered from a den of lions, king Darius decreed that all in his kingdom should revere the God of Daniel, saying: ``He is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.''3

Down through the centuries people have been saved when they turned to God for help and acknowledged His power and control in their lives. There have been numerous examples during times of war when those serving on both sides were rescued from death or disaster through praying with understanding to a power higher than that of any force on earth.

The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, saw through her study of the Scriptures that God is divine Life and Love and that man, made in His likeness, is forever in His care, loved and cherished by Him. On the basis of this absolute truth she could write, ``The divine Love, which made harmless the poisonous viper, which delivered men from the boiling oil, from the fiery furnace, from the jaws of the lion, can heal the sick in every age and triumph over sin and death.''4

Although we may not need rescuing from disaster at sea or from the dangers of the elements, we can experience God's protection wherever we are. Around the house, at the office, at school, the understanding of God's loving care and power provides constant safety. Because God loves us, we can be protected from what might prove dangerous relationships as well. If we are praying to do His will and to be guided by Him, then even if we feel a relationship is right, we will be shown otherwise if it is not in our best interest.

Daily seeking God's guidance through prayer; understanding Him to be the one supreme power from whom we are inseparable as His spiritual likeness; living in harmony with His law as expressed in the Commandments -- this is the basis for true protection.

We might say that God is in control of every identity in His universe because He is more powerful than any circumstance. Yet we can go a step further and see that because God is omnipotent, there is in absolute truth no other power that can exist to cause danger. This understanding can rescue us from trouble wherever we are.

1See Luke 8:22-24. 2See Acts 23:12-24. 3Daniel 6:26, 27. 4Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 243.

You can find more articles like this one in the Christian Science Sentinel, a weekly magazine. DAILY BIBLE VERSE: The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer. Psalms 18:2