A week ago, I was travelling in the car with my two grandchildren, when a report came up on the radio detailing the latest news of the twelve soccer players and their coach who were lost in those caves in Thailand. I felt the Lord prompting me to lead my grandchildren in prayer for the safety and rescue of this group of people. But I hesitated to bring this to their attention. They clearly were not yet aware of the drama that was unfolding, and I did not want to traumatise them by telling them about such a hopeless situation which could only have one outcome; the loss of life of some or even all, of the children who were not much older than them.
But the prompting was very strong that my grandchildren should hear about what was happening on the other side of the world and to pray along with them for a miracle for this soccer team. So, I gently explained to them what was happening in the cave, and they agreed with me that we should pray for their rescue. It was so challenging to hear their comments afterwards and their confidence that God would save the lost children.
How impressive has it been tonight to witness the rescue of the last of all twelve children and their coach! It has honestly been a miracle straight from the hand of God. I believe the predicted torrential monsoon rain has been held back by the very hand of God until the work was complete. If it had arrived earlier, the subterranean streams would have risen, and the currents would have been too strong for a rescue to take place.
But there has been another miracle that has happened along the way. The miracle of a world united with one goal; to see these people saved from the depths of the earth. From the Israeli technology that helped find the missing group, to the Australian doctor who volunteered to go into the cave and stay with the boys during the ordeal, to the multinational team of Navy Seals who went in, again and again, taking food, medical supplies and hope. To the local villagers who worked tirelessly above ground to plug the cracks and holes in the rocks to stem the flow of water into the cave; to the millions of people who hoped and, most of all, prayed for the safe rescue of a group of people they had never met.
For one brief week, the world forgot the wars, the conflicts that keep us apart, the petty quarrels that pit nation against nation, family against family, brother against brother and friend against friend. We all rejoiced in the safe return of twelve children and one adult to their families. We continue to pray for the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional healing of the rescued and rescuers alike…and comfort to the family of the diver who lost his life during the rescue – may they find relief in the knowledge that their loved one did not die in vain.
May the Lord receive the glory and praise He is due – our God is still in the business of performing miracles today!