by Alex Villalva
Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
–Psalm 80:18-19
Five days before Christmas of 1968, U.S. Air Force (USAF) Major Forrest Fenn was piloting his F-100D “Super Sabre” fighter jet aircraft on a combat mission to strike enemy ground targets in Laos, during the Vietnam War. On a second attack pass, his aircraft was severely hit by enemy fire and became unflyable, leaving Fenn no option but to eject. After a successful ejection and landing by parachute, Fenn found himself deep in enemy territory, and with a high threat of capture present, he needed swift rescue. So, after evading from his landing area and gaining some distance from pursuers, Fenn had to contact U.S. rescue forces rapidly.
Like many U.S. Military airmen serving in Southeast Asia, Fenn wore a specialized survival vest that carried a handheld survival radio, which he then used to contact nearby U.S. aircraft. These aircraft then alerted USAF Search And Rescue (SAR) forces based in nearby Thailand. The next day, a USAF HH-3E SAR helicopter arrived and rescued Fenn from a difficult situation of despair, fear, stress, and uncertainty.
Like Fenn using his survival radio to contact rescue forces for help in a time of need, each child of God carries the same immediate and direct ability to reach out and contact Him at any time, when we find ourselves in demanding situations and needing rescue and deliverance from fear, pain, or stress.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, hear our distress calls when we call upon your name to rescue us from situations that burden us, in which to be saved from them. And in doing so, shine your face upon us, so that we may prosper in our lives, that we live by your example, and that we continue to do your work. Amen.
