By Ron Hutchcraft
This Fourth of July, there would be no fireworks. Just a lot of tears.
It was raining when the campers went to sleep that night. But no one knew that the Guadalupe River would turn into a raging flood while they slept.
The girls at Mystic Camp were awakened by that flood smashing into their cabins. Some were able to escape. Twenty-four could not.
Earlier this week, the President of the United States recalled that awful night. He told the story of one of the Mystic Camp girls. Her name is Milly Cate. She's 11 years old.
In the midst of the surging flood, she prayed for God to save her.
And a man who seemed to come out of nowhere did.
Scott Ruskan. Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Those guys who come down from a chopper on a cable to rescue people from oceans and housetops.
Scott had gone to college to major in accounting. Somewhere along the way, he decided his calling was to rescue. But this was his first mission.
He was the answer to Milly Cate's prayer.
The President told the story. "As the waters threatened to sweep her away," he said, "11-year-old Milly Cate McClymond closed her eyes and prayed to God she thought she was going to die. Those prayers were answered when Coast Guard rescuer Scott Ruskan descended from a helicopter above."
Milly Cate was one of 164 people he rescued that awful night. He was the only first responder around.
The President introduced him - then honored him with the prestigious Legion of Merit medal for "exceptionally meritorious conduct."
But his real "award" was the young girl next to him. Milly Cate.
Who, facing almost certain death, had one hope that night. A rescuer from above. Thank God, he came.
In a way, that's my story, too. And, no doubt, the story of many reading this.
Scripture puts it this way: "Jesus gave His life for us... to rescue us" (Galatians 1:4).
With Good Friday approaching, that's what that middle cross at a place called Skull Hill was all about. The greatest act of love in the history of mankind. As the Bible explains, "He carried our sins in His own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24).
Because instead of living for the One who gave us our life, we have raised our fist and said, "You run the universe, God - I'll run me." And spiritual hijacking carries an unspeakable, eternal death penalty.
I stood facing the onrushing flood of the judgment of Almighty God. Nothing I could do could pay that death penalty.
Here is the stunning rescue story that captured my heart forever. I did the sinning. God's Son did the dying!
The Rescuer from above didn't just risk His life to save me. He gave His life.
And like a camper facing death that tragic night, my only hope was a Rescuer from above. I'm compelled to write this. Because I don't want anybody to miss Him. God says, "I have set before you life and death. Now choose life" (Deuteronomy 30:19).
When He comes to rescue you, grab His hand. Hope has come.