Does the Bobcat have a Carburetor? Maybe it is FROZEN:

It is so cold today that I was reminded of this story, which I just posted on another thread. :

(Note: This is an apocryphal tale, told around a campfire in Laconia NH back in 1995. I have no idea if it’s really TRUE!)

Jack was the adventurous type, and he and some friends decided that they would ride their Harleys up the Alaskan Highway to the Arctic Circle, which is clearly marked with a sign. As the big day grew nearer, the friends opted out one-by-one, until Jack was the only one who wanted to go.

In spite of all advice to NOT do the trip alone, Jack was too proud to give up his quest.

And so he headed North. After miles and miles of lonely, steady driving, Jack saw the iconic sign up ahead.

This was in the days before smart phones, so taking a “selfie” involved setting up a tripod, mounting the camera, setting a timer, and getting into position for the shot. This was successful, and Jack then dismantled the tripod and camera, and packed them back onto the motorcycle. Then, he tried to start up the bike for the long trip home.

It was then that Jack saw that the carburetor was encased in ice. After a moment of abject terror at the thought of freezing to death, alone, at the Arctic Circle, Jack resourcefully bathed the frozen carburetor in 98.6 degree water from his own body, which melted the ice completely. The bike started up and Jack rode home as fast as his little wheels could take him.

The Moral of the story is this:

In a desperate situation, USE WHATEVER YOU GOT!

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February 14

Sending Out an SOS

Bible in a Year:

I sought the Lord, and he answered me.

Psalm 34:4

When the hut of a settler in a mountainous region of Alaska caught fire, the settler was left without adequate shelter and with few provisions in the coldest state in the US—in the middle of a frigid winter. Three weeks later, the man was finally rescued when an aircraft flew over and spied the large SOS he had stamped out in the snow and darkened with soot.

The psalmist David was certainly in dire straits. He was being pursued by jealous King Saul who sought to kill him. And so he fled to the city of Gath, where he pretended to be insane in order to preserve his life (see 1 Samuel 21). Out of those events emerged Psalm 34, where David cried out in prayer to God and found peace (vv. 4, 6). God heard his pleas and delivered him.

Are you in a desperate situation and crying out for help? Be assured that God still hears and responds to our desperate prayers today. As with David, He’s attentive to our distress calls and takes away our fears (v. 4)—and sometimes even saves us “out of [our] troubles” (v. 6).

Scripture invites us to “cast [our] cares on the Lord and he will sustain [us]” (Psalm 55:22). When we turn our difficult circumstances over to God, we can trust that He’ll provide the help we need. We’re secure in His capable hands.

Reflect & Pray

When have you felt peace after crying out to God? When has He rescued you from a desperate situation?

Loving Father, thank You for hearing my prayers and bringing comfort, peace—whatever I need most. And thank You especially for rescuing me from my sin.