Miracle Fuel

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:19]

During World War II an American bomber ran out of gas over the Pacific and was forced to land on a Japanese-held island. Without fuel to get away, the crew knew they would be soon captured and resigned themselves to this looming fate. But the bomber was also carrying a chaplain. A firm believer, he refused to give up hope and prayed to God for deliverance. Though the crew respected his faith, they did not share his optimism. But the next day they changed their minds. Early that morning, just before dawn, one of the crew was awakened suddenly with a strong feeling that he should go down and walk on the beach. There he found, bobbing on the incoming waves, a huge drum of aviation gasoline. With a shout, the astonished airman awakened the rest of the amazed crew, who rushed down to the water, pulled the big drum ashore, and transferred the miraculous gift of gas to the stranded plane. Soon they were safely off the island, airborne to their not-too-distant base.

Later, the facts concerning the miraculous gasoline came to light. The drum had been part of a cargo of fuel that had been jettisoned from its barge following a Japanese attack. All the other drums had been lost, but this one had managed to float nearly 1,000 miles past 25 other islands to finally wash up at the very feet of the men who desperately needed that gasoline to save their lives.

God delights in miraculous rescues! He rescued the disciples from sinking in a storm on the Sea of Galilee by walking on water. He rescued Jonah from drowning by allowing a whale to swallow him. He rescued Daniel from a den of hungry lions by sending an angel to shut the lions’ mouths. And he rescued Joseph from a lifetime of imprisonment by sending a pagan king a dream. Are you in a difficult situation? Paul counseled, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7). Perhaps God has a miraculous rescue planned for you!