By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

A couple of weeks ago, Ras (Erastus) Beukes, a 22-year-old from Paarl, together with two friends, Hugo and Mark, boarded a yacht in Singapore. Their mission was to deliver the yacht in Auckland, New Zealand. This route is known to be extremely dangerous due to strong currents, pirates and terrorist activities.

While Ras was hanging out his laundry on deck in the last week, he attempted to get seawater to rinse off the deck. During his attempt, he fell overboard. In spite of trying to get back onto the yacht, he had to watch it as it disappeared into the distance. All he could do was to turn the bucketaround in order to stay afloat.

In the middle of the ocean, Ras cried out to God for a miracle. An hour and a half passed before Hugo and Mark realized that Ras was gone. They immediately turned the yacht around, knowing that it would be virtually impossible to find Ras in the deep sea.

On the deck, while searching for Ras, Hugo notified his parents of what had happened via the satellite phone. All his parents could do was to pray that God would guide Hugo and Mark to find Ras. 

Time was running out. On the deck Hugo scanned the masses of water with his binoculars. They were about to give up hope of finding Ras, when he spotted a small black particle moving in the water some distance away. They decided to go closer. This time it was Ras!

Tears flowed over Hugo’s cheeks as he spoke about what happened. He described the event as an absolute miracle, as Ras was 5km away from where he had initially fallen overboard. Also Rassaid that he had never in his life called out to God than what he did in the sea. Even though he thought he might die, in his heart he kept on believing that God would do a miracle.

Without knowing what was about to happen in his life, Ras’ mother, Elna prepared her child by reminding him before he left about the words in Genesis 21:17: “God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.” Elna’s message to Raswas this: “No matter what the crisis – on board or in the water – cry out to God, for He truly hears us.”

This message also apply to us today. In every emergency (work, household, health, finance, marriage), we can cry out to God, knowing that He hears us and that He sends his angels to help us. Can you imagine how many angels were on the deck with Hugo and Mark? Also with Ras in the water? Also, as you are reading this, they are probably protecting you – even though you don’t see them. Let's thank God for hearing our cries and let us trust Him to bring about a miracle in our lives – even if it seems impossible. God bless. 

Father God, thank you for never slumbering nor sleeping. You are faithful and I praise Your Name for that. Help me to not lose faith in the most difficult times of my life. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• Look at a picture of Ras and his parents (Elna and Ds. Rudi Beukes from the Evangelies Gereformeerde Kerk, Paarl) at www.benescke.co.za

• Assignment: Before you start worrying about a situation in your life, remind yourself that you can also call out to God, for He truly hears our cries. 

• Feedback: Share your testimony of God's breakthroughs in your life or give feedback at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I would like to hear from you. Benescke