Hang on!
“But hold fast what you have till I come.” [Revelation 2:25]
Back in 1987 on a commuter flight from Portland, Maine, to Boston, the pilot, Henry Dempsey, heard an unusual noise near the rear of the aircraft shortly after takeoff. When they reached about 4,000 feet Captain Dempsey turned the controls over to the co-pilot and went to the back of the 15-passenger turboprop to investigate the strange sound. As he reached the tail section the plane hit an air pocket, and Dempsey was bounced against the rear door. He quickly discovered the source of the mysterious noise. The rear door had been improperly latched prior to take-off and it flew open. Dempsey was instantly sucked out of the tiny Beechcraft 99.
The co-pilot heard the wind rushing through the cabin and saw the red light indicating an open door. It became obvious what had happened. He quickly radioed the nearest airport requesting permission for an emergency landing. He reported that the pilot had fallen out of the plane and asked a helicopter to search the area of the ocean over which they had been flying.
After the plane landed, the ground crew was astonished to find Dempsey alive, desperately clinging to the outdoor stair railing of the aircraft. Somehow when the stair door popped open and his upper body fell through the door he instinctively seized the handrail. Amazingly, for 10 minutes Dempsey endured the force of howling 200 mph winds, and when landing he barely kept his head from hitting the runway, which was only 12 inches away. According to news reports, Dempsey was holding on to the stair railing with such tenacity of force that it took the airport rescue team several minutes to pry his hands loose.
Jesus warned that difficult times will come for His people. “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). There are times of discouragement when it is tempting to give up or to let go. But when you consider the experience of Henry Dempsey, think of the alternatives. Remember, the harder you cling to Jesus, the tighter will be His grip on you!
