Daily Devotional for February 17, 2023
Better Than the Coast Guard
“That was cool!” Jude said when he returned home after his class had toured a Coast Guard ship at the sea festival held in their coastal city.
“Did you learn what the Coast Guard does?” Dad asked.
“This pamphlet says they fight smuggling, protect ships and ports, and rescue victims of sea disasters,” Jude replied. “They pick up survivors when a plane crashes in the ocean too. Our guide said they saved at least six thousand lives last year! Storms sometimes come up fast, and people can’t make it back to shore. Other times boaters just don’t pay attention to the warnings. But the reason people are in trouble doesn’t matter to the Coast Guard. I bet they save more lives each year than anybody!”
“They’re well trained and do save a lot of lives,” said Dad. “In times of war, the Coast Guard becomes a part of the Navy. Do you know the Coast Guard’s motto?”
Jude nodded. “Yep. Our guide told us. ‘Semper Paratus’—‘Always Ready.’”
“The Coast Guard does a good job,” said Mom. “But I can think of somebody who saves even more lives than the people in the Coast Guard do.”
Jude looked surprised. “You can? Who?”
“I think I know,” said Dad. “I think Mom means Jesus. He’s willing to save anyone who will trust in Him.”
Mom nodded. “Can you imagine that anyone struggling in the water would refuse help from the Coast Guard? I know I wouldn’t! I would gladly accept help if the Coast Guard ever came to rescue me. But all of us need to be rescued from sin, yet many people refuse to accept the help Jesus offers. But no matter how much we keep trying to save ourselves, we never can.”
“People might try to save themselves by doing good things, right?” asked Jude. “Like by going to church and giving money and being good. Stuff like that?”
Dad nodded. “But trying to save ourselves by doing good things won’t work—it’s like trying to rescue yourself when you’re drowning. Trusting in Jesus is the only way we can be saved.”
Jude smiled. “I’m so glad He came to rescue us.”
-Linda L. Leonard
How about you?
Did you know Jesus came to earth to rescue you from sin? You can’t save yourself. Perhaps you go to church, obey your parents, study hard at school, and give money to the poor. None of these things—good as they are—will save you. Jesus died and rose again so you could be forgiven for the wrong things you’ve done. Don’t refuse His offer of salvation. Trust Him to save you. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)
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