Sailing through Darkness

God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  – 1 John 1:5

NASA’s Apollo 13 flight was launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 11, 1970. It was the seventh crewed mission in the Apollo space program and astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swaggart and Fred Haise were scheduled to walk on the moon. However, during the flight, an oxygen tank in the service module failed two days into the mission. Not only did they have to abort their moon landing, but it also looked as if they would not have enough engine power and cabin oxygen to return to Earth alive. They changed course and one of the tensest times during the flight was when the spaceship orbited behind the moon. For agonizing hours, the astronauts were sailing through the darkness on the far side of the moon, out of reach of radio contact with Mission Control in Houston.

All across America, people prayed for the safety of the astronauts. Then the nation breathed a sigh of relief when radio contact was reestablished. And the Lord answered all those prayers when Apollo 13 was successfully brought home.

Whatever crisis you are facing, God walks with you during those dark times. Jesus is no less present behind the moon’s shadow than He is beside you right now. He gives you strength, peace and wisdom so you can handle any challenge. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” So, as you look around the nation, trust Him no matter how bleak the situation seems. Pray that America’s leaders will do the same.