"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I
shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." (Psalm 42:11)
It is said, "While there's life, there's hope." This seems to describe the case of the six Navy pilots
who left their aircraft carrier on a scouting mission during World War II, searching the seas for
enemy submarines believed operating in the area. When they tried to return, they could not find
their ship. It seems that while they were gone, the captain had ordered a war-imposed blackout of
all lights on the ship. Over and over the frantic pilots radioed, asking for just one light so they
could see to land. The pilots were then told of the blackout and that it could not be lifted even for
them. After several appeals and denials of their requests, the ship's radio operator finally turned
the switch to break radio contact. Rather than risk the lives of thousands on the ship, the pilots
were forced to ditch in the cold Atlantic and from there into eternity. The pilots left the ship
thinking they would be able to return, but found that this was misplaced hope.
In what are you placing your hope? (From On This Day, by Dr. Carl D. Windsor, p.95 )