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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My family had the opportunity to join a search-and-rescue team to help find a lost child in the woods. It was a several hour ordeal during the night. Our heads thumped with anxiety as we moved leaf piles, frantically calling the boy’s name. We overcame the foreboding when we found him alive. This seems like a fitting illustration of the Bible verse that says that the angels rejoice over one soul saved. – S.R.

A: “Search and rescue” is a term heard almost every day, whether in the newspaper, over the internet, or on television or radio. We watch people being saved from automobile accidents. We hear about children being saved from drowning. We read of others being pulled out of fiery flames. We sigh with relief when military men and women save innocent lives around the world or when the National Guard rescues families from floods left in the wake of hurricanes or from raging fires. Most people hope that if they find themselves in dangerous situations, there will be someone to rescue them.

Few seldom stop to realize that when we are rescued from something, we are also saved for something. When we are rescued by someone, we are indebted to the one who has saved us from disaster, impending doom, and perhaps death itself.

No other human being, no matter how selfless or brave, can rescue us from the certainty of death. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be saved. When it comes to the soul, we must be clear about Who really saves us. Salvation is an act of God. It is initiated by God, wrought by God, and sustained by God.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2023 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2024 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.