As we begin the month of May, we are perhaps reminded of the very first day of month referred to by some as May Day.  This is seen by some as a day of celebration when people dance around what is called a maypole as part of a pagan fertility ritual.  But another meaning is associated with an international distress signal S. O. S. that has given place to the words “May-day”, which sounds like the French equivalent of “M’aidez” meaning “Help me.”  The May-day call is normally used in case of distress when in a ship or plane.

        “Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that the greatest source of help ever comes from the God who inspired the Bible.  Psalm 121 begins with the words, “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help.  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”  It makes perfect sense that if God created the earth and everything in it, He is perfectly able to help His followers with any problem that occurs on this earth that He has created.  Isaiah 43:2 promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you.”

        We know of two specific instances in the Bible when God helped His people to cross bodies of water safely.  The first instance was when He dried up the Red Sea so that they could cross it on dry ground to escape the hot pursuit of the Pharaoh, king of Egypt.  The people were trapped until God blocked the flow of the water and sent a wind to dry the ground, and then allowed the water to return to normal to drown the Egyptians.  He basically repeated this miracle when He blocked the flow of the Jordan River and dried up the ground to enable them to cross the Jordan River.  This then allowed them to enter a land called the Promised Land, which God promised long ago to their ancestors.

        We also know of how God protected three Hebrew men who once were thrown into a fiery hot furnace when they refused to bow down and worship a heathen idol.  The furnace was heated seven times hotter than ever before so that those throwing the men into it were themselves burned.  Again, God protected them so that there was not a hair on their bodies singed and there was no smell of smoke on them.  God Himself walked in the furnace with them to protect them.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.