A Soldier's Return

At the age of 75 an uncle underwent open-heart surgery - always a close brush with death, but not his first. You, see, he had "died" in World War II, when his troop ship was sunk in the Mediterranean. It was a bitterly cold night; he and a few other survivors had been in the water a long time. My uncle was trying to keep everyone together, and would call out the time every half hour or so, encouraging them to hang on until dawn, hoping they would be found in the light of day. When another ship passed close-by, they were unable to attract its attention, and were very disappointed, but it turned out to be most fortunate. That ship, too, would soon be sunk. He was holding up a wounded comrade, yet never knew exactly when his friend slipped from his arms, because the cold was so numbing. Later during the night, he said he looked down and saw his own body in the water and knew he, too, had "slipped away." "God," he prayed, "my parents are old and sick, and I need to go home and help take care of them." The Lord heard this unselfish prayer and allowed him to "come back," to his body, to his parents, to his family, friends, and community. We are all most grateful, for his life has been one of joyful love and service these many years since.

Psalm 61.1-2 - Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer! In despair and far from home I call to you.

Psalm 69.1-3 - Save me, O God! The waters have come up to my neck; I have come into deep waters, and the waves are about to drown me. I am worn out from calling for help.

Psalm 144.7 - Reach down from heaven and rescue me; deliver me from deep waters, from the power of my enemies.

Psalm 94.17-18 - I would have died unless the Lord had helped me. I cried," I am slipping, Lord!" and he was kind and rescued me.

Psalm 18.16-17 - He reached down from heaven and took me and drew me out of my great trials. He rescued me from deep waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy.

Psalm 118.13 - You did your best to kill me, O my enemy, but the Lord helped me. He is my strength in the heat of battle.

Psalm 43.2 - When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you.

Psalm 139.8 - If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me.

2 Corinthians 1.9 - We felt we were doomed to die and felt how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead.

Genesis 1.2 - The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the power of God was moving over the water.

Luke 15.24 - This son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.

Hebrews 11.34,35 - They were weak but became strong; they were mighty in battle and defeated the armies of foreigners. And some women through faith, received their loved ones back again from death.

Isaiah 60.4 - Lift up your eyes and see! For your sons are coming home to you from distant lands.