“You are my Helper and my Savior; O my God, please do not delay in rescuing me!”
Psalm 40:17
 
In 1923, Frederick Stanley Mockford was the Senior Radio Officer for the RAF at Croydon Airport in England. The majority of the traffic they saw was from small planes crossing the English Channel back and forth to France. Since 1909, the official distress call had been “S O S” using morse code but saying that phrase could be convoluted in different dialects. Mockford was concerned that people couldn’t understand if there was an emergency. He spent time trying different phrases and words…but nothing worked until he heard a French word: “M’adier” – when pronounced in French, it meant “HELP ME”. With a little work on the English side, the word became what we know today as “MAYDAY”.
 
It was immediately put to work and by 1927, the United States adopted “Mayday” as the official distress call. It has nothing to do with the May 1^st holiday, but by 1931 was adopted worldwide. The proper format is to state the word three times: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY… then state the name of the vessel and number and give any known coordinates or information out so that others may assist. The word is REPEATED, so that there is no mistaking the call. To make a false mayday call is a criminal offense in most countries of the world.
 
Rescue. Help. Drowning. Exhausted. Fuel is low. Energy is lost. Cannot go on. We ALL need rescue. We all need Help. And I’d be willing to bet you have felt like you are drowning, you are exhausted and you’re not sure you can go on.
 
The Psalmist David must have been there too, when he called out to God and said, “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me. He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me up out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” (Psalm 40:1-3)
 
That’s why gather together to worship…because we need rescuing! That’s why we have Ladies Class or Connect Groups or Spectrum or Bacon Brothers…to re-fuel and re-energize! IN ANY LANGUAGE, God hears our cries of despair…and He is there! If you are exhausted and drowning, call out to Him…He’s ready to get your feet on firm soil!
 
When your troubles surround you, and the past won’t let you go…Cry out to Him. When the anxiety chases you every day & discouragement is your go to…Cry out to Him. REPEAT YOUR CRIES…He hears you, but make SURE that YOU HEAR YOU…and you KNOW that He is coming to rescue you! Because He cares for you…and He has not let you go!!
 
May this little thought be a reminder that YOU NEED RESCUE! Send your distress signal to Him-not to the bottle, or to your despair…but to the One who leaves the 99, to go after you! He’s THAT kind of Rescuer…and He will rescue YOU!
 
SHALOM ALACHIEM – Peace Upon Your Home, Don