Participants:
Series Code: IIW
Program Code: IIW001531A
01:30 ♪[Theme Music]♪
01:40 ♪[Theme Music]♪ 01:51 >>John Bradshaw: This is It Is Written. I'm John Bradshaw. 01:53 Thanks for joining me. 01:54 We're going to go together to Camp Hope, 01:57 a unique camp with a lifesaving difference. 02:01 It was established in 2010 for the families 02:04 of 33 Chilean miners who were rescued 02:07 after a near disastrous mining accident. 02:11 There's a lot we can learn from the harrowing experience 02:13 that almost resulted in tragedy, 02:16 and the incredible rescue that saved their lives. 02:19 Thursday, August the 5th, 2010 02:22 was not a happy day for many people. 02:26 Life took an unexpected turn for many wives, 02:30 mothers, children, grandchildren, 02:32 uncles, cousins, nephews, friends, 02:35 neighbors as they learned, from news reports, 02:40 that their loved ones were trapped 2,300 feet, 02:43 thats 701 meters, below ground. 02:46 That's basically the distance from the ground to the top 02:49 of the Empire State Building, twice. 02:53 Can you imagine being trapped that far, below ground? 02:58 The day began for the miners 03:00 as any other typical work day would, 03:02 expecting to see each other again for supper 03:04 that night as usual, 03:06 but supper time came and went and feelings of desperation 03:09 and fear and uncertainty 03:11 and the desire to stay close took over their minds. 03:15 They gathered in the Atacama Desert and set up tents 03:20 and began the long wait for whatever might eventuate. 03:24 On the outskirts of the San Jose Mine 03:27 over two-and-a-half thousand people gathered 03:31 in what was called Camp Hope. 03:34 It was an improvised community established by relatives. 03:38 There were over 200 national and international 03:40 media reporters there, 03:41 as well as rescue teams and doctors 03:42 and psychologists and teachers and volunteers, 03:45 spiritual leaders and visitors from other parts of Chile 03:49 who came together to wait for the miners, 03:53 to give encouragement to the families, 03:55 and to share a message of hope. 03:58 Every evening at six o'clock relatives gathered to receive 04:01 daily reports on the physical and psychological 04:05 condition of their loved ones. 04:07 Schools were set up so the children could attend class. 04:10 And families gathered together to pray for a miracle. 04:15 Despite the intense heat during the day 04:17 and the extreme cold during the night, 04:20 they waited, at Camp Hope. 04:23 For 17 days the earth remained silent 04:27 and with each failed rescue attempt, despair increased. 04:32 Time after time rescuers dug holes in the ground 04:35 looking for signs of life. 04:37 But the drills repeatedly missed the right spot. 04:42 Rescuers didn't have an updated map indicating where 04:44 the miners might be, sheltering underground. 04:47 It wasn't known for certain if they'd even managed 04:49 to make it to those potentially safe zones. 04:54 And then there was some pretty obvious issues. 04:58 If the miners weren't found soon, 05:02 if they were still alive, 05:04 they'd die of thirst, or hunger, or from another collapse, 05:09 or from a lack of oxygen. 05:12 Anything could happen. 05:14 Meanwhile, the families couldn't do anything except, wait. 05:23 Maybe right now you find yourself in the same situation. 05:26 Maybe you've had to pitch your tent at your own Camp Hope 05:29 waiting for the outcome of your situation. 05:31 Maybe you're like those relatives, 05:33 you're watching helplessly as a child has fallen prey to drugs. 05:38 Maybe you have a spouse who's addicted to alcohol. 05:42 Maybe you have a daughter who's a victim of domestic violence. 05:46 Maybe you have a sick father or mother 05:48 and you don't have the means to pay for their treatment. 05:51 Maybe a loved one has departed from God. 05:53 You're watching now that person slowly destroying himself 05:57 or herself and you feel trapped, not knowing what to do. 06:03 As time goes by you become desperate. 06:06 You may have got on your knees for many years even, 06:10 begging God to perform a miracle, a rescue. 06:15 Maybe now you're about to lose hope. 06:18 Has the silence of God made you think 06:20 that God's not listening to you? 06:23 Well listen. 06:24 God has a promise for you. 06:26 It's found in the Book of Psalms, 06:27 Psalm 27 and verse 14. 06:31 “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, 06:35 and He shall strengthen your heart. 06:38 Wait, I say, on the Lord.” 06:42 Don't grow weary, wait on the Lord. 06:46 Wait on the Lord and the miracle will come. 06:51 After 17 seemingly endless days, on August 22, 2010, 06:57 the first miracle finally arrived. 07:01 One of the drills being used for the rescue miraculously deviated 07:05 toward the refuge where the miners were holed up. 07:08 The drill was christened "La Milagrosa," 07:10 the miraculous one. 07:12 Another name that was given to it, 07:14 it's one that I like the most, is "the Hand of God." 07:17 As soon as the drill reached the refuge, 07:20 the rescuers felt two blows on the drill. 07:22 That was the, the trapped miners down there banging on the drill. 07:27 They realized that meant there could be life underground. 07:30 It took some time to bring the drill back up, 07:33 but when they pulled it out of the ground, 07:35 on the tip, connected to the drill, 07:37 was a handwritten message from one of the miners. 07:40 It said, “We are fine in the shelter, the 33.” 07:46 You know, experts said that if that drill 07:47 had taken just one more day to reach those trapped miners, 07:50 some of them would likely have been dead. 07:54 The conditions in which they were found 07:55 were totally unstable. 07:57 They didn't have much light. 07:59 They had little food. 08:02 The cans of tuna they shared were almost gone. 08:06 There wasn't enough oxygen. 08:08 Fungus had begun to cling to some of the miners 08:11 because of the humidity where they were. 08:13 Others were sick to their stomachs 08:15 because of the water they drank. 08:17 But the Hand of God reached them just in time. 08:21 So again, listen. 08:22 Don't grow weary, wait on the Lord, 08:25 the miracle will come. 08:26 You know, one reason I want to share this story with you 08:28 is because it's inspiring. 08:30 Because if you apply it in your own life, 08:32 it'll give you courage in times of despair. 08:35 Even if you feel that your situation is lost, 08:38 if you think yours is an unsolvable case, 08:42 the miraculous hand of God can reach the deepest place to work 08:46 out a rescue for you or for your loved one. 08:50 Hold on to the promises of God, 08:51 and the promises of God will sustain you. 08:55 And as your problem is solved, God will fill you with peace. 08:59 Isaiah 26 and verse 3, 09:02 “You will keep him in perfect peace, 09:05 whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” 09:11 I'll have more, in just a moment. 09:14 ♪[Music]♪ 09:22 >>John: We live in a world where there is very little peace 09:25 and too many of us are experiencing lives 09:27 without peace, 09:28 if not you, then surely somebody you know. 09:30 How to experience God's peace in your life? 09:33 Receive today's free offer, "Peace on Earth," 09:36 and answer that question. 09:37 Just call 800-253-3000 09:40 or visit us online at iiwoffer.com. 09:44 Receive "Peace on Earth." 09:46 Call us, 800-253-3000 09:49 or visit us at iiwoffer.com. 09:53 >>Girl: My mom woke up at 11:45 and she smelled smoke. 09:58 >>Man: About maybe 1:30 in the morning the, uh, 10:02 my wife got a phone call and I could hear the voice 10:05 on the other end of the line and she was basically, 10:08 uh, screaming, there's a fire, it's massive, 10:11 it's headed your way, 10:12 you need to get out and get out now. 10:15 >>Woman: After I hear fire, I hear in the background, 10:18 the fire is just four blocks away 10:19 from your house and I panicked. 10:21 We started praying, our prayers didn't last long. 10:25 They were desperate, they were, they were rushed, 10:29 there was a need, it was urgent. 10:30 It was very, very urgent. 10:31 I said, please, save my children. 10:35 ♪[Helpless music]♪ 10:38 >>John: Where was God when the fires burned? 10:39 Where was God as people suffered? 10:41 Where was God while people were dying? 10:44 Where was God in the midst of the devastation? 10:46 ♪[Music and sound of fire crackling]♪ 10:53 Thanks for joining me today on It Is Written. 10:56 Camp Hope was the name given to the tent community 11:00 set up for the relatives of the 33 Chilean miners 11:03 who were trapped underground, 2,300 feet underground, 11:07 in a copper and gold mine 11:09 after a collapse in the mine in August of 2010. 11:13 Volunteers and the media also gathered at Camp Hope. 11:17 After receiving a note that proved that the 33 miners 11:20 were alive in a shelter deep below the surface of the earth, 11:24 rescuers designed a plan to bring the men 11:27 up to the surface one by one. 11:30 In the meantime, a pastor, Carlos Parra, 11:32 who pastored the Seventh-day Adventist congregation, 11:35 understood that the men needed spiritual support 11:38 and so he searched for 33 Bibles small enough to fit 11:42 into a probe and he had them delivered to the men, 11:45 highlighting special promises for the miners to read. 11:49 Now, this is what we can do. 11:50 This is exactly what you and I can do. 11:52 In moments of discouragement and darkness, 11:55 we can go to the Bible. 11:58 And in the Bible we find hope and assurance. 12:01 The first promise Pastor Parra assigned them to read 12:03 was Psalm 103, verse 4, 12:06 “Who redeems your life from destruction, 12:10 who crowns you with lovingkindness 12:12 and tender mercies.” 12:13 And so every day Pastor Carlos Parra would share promises 12:17 for the trapped miners to read from the Holy Book. 12:21 They'd be sent down 2,300 feet underground 12:25 in that special probe. 12:27 Many people, many religious groups, 12:29 came together to help these families and Pastor Parra 12:32 became a virtual chaplain to the miners underground 12:35 and to the families above. 12:38 Six men were chosen to descend into the heart of the earth 12:42 and help the miners out back to the surface. 12:47 Imagine volunteering for that job. 12:49 It was a huge risk. 12:51 Not only did the six men risk their lives, 12:54 they did it of their own free will 12:58 and out of love for their fellow man. 13:01 No one forced them to descend to the depths of the earth. 13:04 It was duty that called them to be more than spectators. 13:08 And sometimes duty also calls us to do a, 13:11 a little more than to pray for those who suffer around us. 13:16 Sometimes we have to go in search of the lost sheep. 13:20 Sometimes you have to participate 13:21 in the rescue of those who need it most. 13:24 Just as Jesus came to our rescue, 13:26 as is written in John 15 and verse 13, 13:29 “Greater love has no one than this, 13:32 than to lay down one's life for his friends.” 13:35 So I ask you, 13:38 what are you willing to do for your lost child? 13:41 What are you willing to sacrifice 13:43 for your sick father or mother? 13:46 Maybe you need to spend more time with your family. 13:49 Maybe it's necessary to seek counseling 13:52 to save your marriage. 13:54 It might be required for you to stay up all night 13:56 to take care of your sick family member. 13:59 You may have cook some extra food 14:00 to help out your neighbor who lost his or her job. 14:03 Maybe that you should ask for help on behalf of the person 14:07 who can't speak out because she's afraid. 14:10 There are many ways in which you can get involved in bringing 14:12 relief to someone who's going through a difficult moment. 14:16 And Jesus will say this when He returns, 14:19 “I was hungry and you gave Me food; 14:22 I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; 14:26 I was a stranger and you took Me in. 14:29 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; 14:33 I was in prison and you came to Me. 14:36 Then the righteousness will answer Him, saying, 14:38 ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, 14:42 or thirsty and give You drink? 14:45 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, 14:47 or naked and clothe You? 14:50 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, 14:51 and come to You?' 14:53 And the King will answer and say to them, 14:57 ‘Assuredly I say to you, 15:00 inasmuch as you did it to one of the least 15:03 of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'” 15:08 Remember something, an act of kindness 15:11 is much more valuable in the vast majority of cases 15:16 than the most eloquent or powerful sermon. 15:20 And you and I have been called to be the hands 15:22 and the feet of Jesus, 15:23 bringing love and encouragement to people who need it most. 15:25 And make sure you don't miss the opportunities brought to you 15:29 by God to present to others the love of Jesus. 15:35 Days turned into weeks, the weeks turned into months, 15:39 69 days and the men were still trapped underground. 15:45 Around the world, people had their eyes glued to TV screens 15:48 following the progress of the rescue. 15:50 Ultimately, millions of people witnessed what could be called 15:55 the most incredible mining rescue in history. 15:59 One by one the miners came out of the ground. 16:02 First, Florencio Avalos, second, Mario Sepulveda who brought 16:07 stones from underground in a bag 16:09 and began to distribute them as souvenirs. 16:12 Third, Juan Andres Llanez, 16:15 fourth, Carlos Mamani, 16:17 until the hours of the day passed until the last man, 16:20 Luis Urzua, was received. 16:23 As each miner emerged, tears of joy flowed, 16:27 shouts of celebration were heard. 16:29 The first reaction of, of several of the miners 16:31 as they reached the surface was to kneel down and thank God 16:34 for a new opportunity of life 16:36 and for reuniting them with their families. 16:40 Can you imagine how Heaven celebrates when a person 16:43 surrenders his or her life to Jesus. 16:47 It says this, I want to read it to you, 16:49 in the gospel of Luke 15 and verse 7: 16:54 “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy 16:57 in heaven over one sinner who repents 17:00 than over ninety-nine just persons 17:02 who need no repentance.” 17:05 When a person surrenders to Jesus, Heaven rejoices. 17:09 Heaven says, it was worth Jesus leaving Heaven 17:13 to go to the earth for you. 17:15 Now the cost of rescuing those miners was huge. 17:19 Twenty-two million dollars. 17:21 But your rescue costs Heaven much more. 17:24 First Peter 1:18 gives us a total value: 17:28 “Knowing that you are not redeemed 17:29 with corruptible things, like silver or gold... 17:32 but with the precious blood of Christ, 17:35 as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 17:38 Heaven gave up its most precious treasure for your salvation. 17:42 Heaven emptied itself for you. 17:44 It gave up everything for that loved one who suffers. 17:48 It gave up everything for that prodigal son who left the home. 17:52 And if God gave all that and more, 17:53 won't He care for you; His most valued possession? 17:59 How could God forget about you? 18:03 How could He stop listening to your prayer? 18:07 Don't be discouraged. 18:08 Wait on the Lord. 18:11 Trust in Him. 18:13 Keep praying. 18:15 I'll be back in just a moment. 18:17 ♪[Music]♪ 18:26 We live in a world where there is very little peace and 18:29 too many of us are experiencing lives without peace. 18:31 If not you, then surely somebody you know. 18:34 How to experience God's peace in your life, 18:37 receive today's free offer, 18:38 "Peace on Earth" 18:39 and answer that question. 18:41 Just call 800-253-3000 18:44 or visit us online at iiwoffer.com. 18:47 Receive "Peace on Earth" 18:49 call us, 800-253-3000 18:53 or visit us at iiwoffer.com. 18:56 Thank you for remembering that It Is Written exists 18:58 because of the kindness of people just like you. 19:01 To support this international, life-changing ministry, 19:05 please call us now at 800-253-3000. 19:09 You can send your tax deductible gift 19:10 to the address on your screen or you can visit us online at 19:14 itiswritten.com. 19:16 Thank you for your prayers and for your financial support. 19:18 Our number again is 800-253-3000 19:23 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com. 19:27 Thanks for joining me on It Is Written. 19:29 Have you ever wondered where Jesus is now, 19:32 what Jesus is doing? 19:34 Have you ever wondered what Jesus is doing 19:36 while people struggle with pain and misfortune 19:38 and sickness and death? 19:41 Well, listen to this. 19:43 As soon as our first parents were kidnapped 19:44 and deceived by the father of lies, 19:48 humanity was buried in a hole much deeper 19:50 than the one in which the 33 miners find themselves. 19:53 We lost our home, we lost our health, 19:55 we lost our happiness. 19:57 We lost our eternal life. 19:59 We lost our immortality 20:01 by listening to the lies of the devil. 20:04 He said that we wouldn't die if we disobeyed God. 20:08 But as soon as we were condemned, 20:10 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit 20:14 established Camp Hope, 20:17 the heavenly sanctuary, from where the greatest rescue 20:21 of all time is in operation seeking to save 20:24 every person who's lived on this planet. 20:27 So, whoever believes in Him should not perish, 20:30 but have everlasting life. 20:31 Jesus is now in the heavenly sanctuary 20:35 and when you and I, from the bottom of the abyss of despair 20:37 and anguish cry for help, 20:39 He's there to comfort us, 20:40 to give us hope and help at all times. 20:44 When in desperation we cry out for a miracle, 20:47 He pours out all of the resources of Heaven 20:49 so that we can endure as we wait for our final rescue. 20:54 That's why our safety is in Jesus and what He can do 20:56 and is doing from up there to finalize the rescue 21:01 its what the Scriptures say. 21:03 There's an entire book in the Bible that talks about it. 21:07 I want to read to you from the fourth chapter 21:09 of the Book of Hebrews starting in verse 15. 21:13 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot 21:16 sympathize with our weaknesses, 21:18 but was in all points tempted as we are, 21:21 yet without sin. 21:24 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, 21:28 that we may obtain mercy and find grace 21:31 to help in time of need.” 21:34 God's not unaware of our needs. 21:37 God's in Camp Hope seeking for ways to help us daily, 21:41 moment by moment, providing encouragement and assurance, 21:46 and the promise that things are going to end okay. 21:49 Just a little more. Just a little more. 21:52 And soon this time of pain and death and separation 21:55 and anguish will be over forever. 21:58 God saw that we were in trouble. 22:00 He knew there's no human solution available to any of us. 22:05 In the same way that a specialist was sent 22:07 to the 33 men to help them into the rescue capsule, 22:10 Jesus encapsulated Himself; He became like one of us. 22:14 He left His glory. 22:16 He descended to the depths of darkness in this lonely planet 22:18 to show us the way back to eternal life, 22:21 to our heavenly home. 22:24 This operation didn't cost a million dollars 22:26 or ten million dollars or twenty-two million dollars. 22:29 A much higher price was paid so that you and I 22:33 could live forever and not die. 22:37 Now think of this, now think of this, 22:43 what if, I'm going to suggest something to you, 22:46 what if one of the miners after that complicated, 22:53 expensive rescue operation decided to stay down there 22:58 701 meters, 2,300 feet, 23:02 two Empire State Buildings high or low, under the ground? 23:08 What would the world think 23:09 if somebody made a decision like that? 23:11 I think the world would think he had lost his mind. 23:15 We would know that there was something 23:17 awfully wrong with that man. 23:22 But sadly, tragically, that's what many people are doing today 23:26 with the rescue Jesus offers them. 23:29 They've become too acquainted with the darkness. 23:31 They say, the darkness is good enough for me. 23:34 They prefer to be buried in the abyss of sin, 23:37 while there awaits a better world. 23:41 When the last miner was rescued in that cold, 23:44 long night in the desert, people all around the world rejoiced. 23:49 Millions. 23:50 In fact, it was said one billion people watched, 23:53 many of them celebrating 23:54 in front of the TV or computer screen. 23:57 It was over. 24:00 The operation came to an end and Camp Hope was finally closed. 24:04 Those 33 men? 24:06 They returned to their homes. 24:08 In the same way, 24:09 when the gospel reaches every person in the world, 24:11 everyone's had the opportunity to accept 24:13 or reject the salvation offered by Jesus, 24:18 the largest and costliest rescue operation 24:21 in the universe will be over, 24:22 and Jesus will forever close Camp Hope, and will 24:29 come to earth with billions of angels to take us home. 24:33 We'll live with Him forever. 24:35 That's your destiny and mine. 24:38 Don't allow the devil to continue stealing 24:40 more than he's already taken. 24:42 Maybe he's stolen your health. 24:44 Maybe he's taken your happiness. 24:46 Maybe he has your loved ones. 24:49 We've lost everything by listening to his voice. 24:54 But we'll gain everything by listening to the voice of Jesus, 25:00 Who will restore everything back to us. 25:03 I want to ask you, where are you now? 25:08 Do you feel trapped by problems that seem to have no solution? 25:13 Or are you a concerned family member 25:15 waiting for the miraculous rescue of a loved one? 25:18 Are you the one who needs to be rescued? 25:21 Maybe you need to lend someone a hand right now, 25:24 or maybe you need someone to lend you a hand. 25:28 Perhaps you've ignored God's voice in the past and now you 25:30 find yourself trapped in a pit with no way out. 25:32 You realize that you need God's powerful hand. 25:36 It's you I'm addressing. 25:38 Look up to the only place and the only One who can rescue you. 25:41 There's no other. 25:43 There's no other way out. 25:45 If you think there's no solution to your problem, 25:47 think of the empty tomb, 25:49 because if God was able to overcome death, 25:52 He can also overcome the daily problems in your life. 25:56 Today is a decisive day. 25:58 Today is the day of rescue. 26:01 Today is the day of your salvation. 26:03 You can take a step of faith now. 26:06 Ask yourself if you want to continue in a pit 26:09 or if you'll enter the capsule that will take you 26:11 from the depths to a new life with Jesus. 26:16 Are going to allow Christ to rescue you. 26:19 Are you willing to accept the sacrifice 26:21 made by Jesus on the cross? 26:24 I don't want to be alarmist, 26:25 but this could be your last chance. 26:28 Don't overlook it. 26:30 If at this moment you're willing to say, 26:32 "Yes, I want to be rescued," then open up your heart to God. 26:36 If right now you recognize the seriousness of your situation, 26:40 that God's not the center of your life, 26:42 let's change that now, shall we? 26:44 It just takes a decision. 26:46 Oh, you say, "I'm not good enough." 26:48 No, that's true. 26:49 There's no one who's good enough, 26:50 only God. 26:51 You say, "I'm not deserving." 26:53 Well, well, of course you are not. 26:54 There's no one who deserves salvation. 26:58 Jesus didn't die for people who deserve to be saved. 27:01 He died for people who are in a desperate situation 27:03 and just couldn't save themselves. 27:06 You say, "God wouldn't forgive me." 27:09 Oh, come on. 27:10 You're forgetting all the case stories 27:12 all the way through the Bible, 27:14 of sinful people that God forgave. 27:18 Jesus came to seek and to save those who were lost. 27:23 Christ died for our sins. 27:26 So what are you going to do? 27:29 Stay because you choose to, 27:32 2,300 feet below the surface of the earth, 27:36 and refuse to come out? 27:39 Friend, Jesus died for you so you could live forever. 27:41 Jesus died for you so that before eternity 27:44 you can have hope in this life, 27:45 you can live with dignity and confidence. 27:49 You can live knowing that you are a child of God. 27:53 If you'd like to be a child of God, 27:54 I'm going to pray for you in just a moment, 27:55 but right now if you can open your heart up to God 27:58 and say "Yes, that's what I want," 28:03 and you can live with hope in this world and then, 28:06 beyond this world, in the world to come. 28:11 Our Father in Heaven, we're thankful 28:13 that You set up Camp Hope in Heaven 28:16 so that from there You could launch 28:17 the most incredible rescue mission 28:19 in the history of the cosmos. 28:21 And Lord today we want to be rescued. 28:23 I pray for each one now, 28:26 someone living without confidence, 28:28 someone living in desperation, 28:30 someone filled with anxiety, 28:31 someone far from You, 28:33 but now we say, "we want to come home." 28:36 We admit we can't turn our own lives around. 28:38 We say, "God, 28:40 You must turn our lives around because that's what You do." 28:42 So, Lord would You do that right now? 28:45 Well, let me change that. 28:48 Lord, thank You for doing that and we believe You've done so. 28:54 So now, friend, claim new life in Jesus. 28:57 Invite Him into your heart. 28:58 Believe that He comes in. 29:00 Believe that He forgives your sins 29:01 because you confess them to Him. 29:03 Believe that everlasting life is yours 29:05 and now we live in connection with God. 29:09 Father, we thank You for the hope that we have. 29:11 We thank You that You are the greatest rescuer of all 29:13 and we pray in Jesus' name, 29:17 Amen. 29:18 Thank you so much for joining me. 29:20 I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time. 29:22 Until then, remember, 29:23 "It is written, 29:25 man shall not live by bread alone, 29:27 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." 29:31 ♪[Theme Music]♪ |
Revised 2018-03-20