"Did They Get Off?"

On September 27, 1942, 500 Marines were trapped by the Japanese on the island of Guadalcanal at Point Cruz.[1]A 22-year-old Coast Guard Signalman, Douglas Munro, recognizing the desperate situation, volunteered to lead 10 Higgins Boats to rescue them, knowing they would all be under intense enemy fire. Then he did something even more amazing. Douglas put his boat between the Japanese and the boats carrying marines. As the last Marines boarded the evacuation boats, Munro maneuvered even closer to the Japanese to draw their fire. This man, who was not even supposed to be in combat, was hit by machine gun bullets to his neck and head. Lying wounded, pouring out blood, he asked Coxswain Ray Evans, “Did they get off?” Evans looked at him and replied, “Yes, they’re all safe.” Munro smiled and passed away.

​Meditation
John 15:13--No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.
 
Many of the Marines who survived that rescue and World War II were so touched by Munro's actions that they named their sons after him, often retelling his courageous story. For his selfless heroism, Munro was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the only Coast Guardsman to receive this highest of honors. 
            
Jesus, the Son of God, saw an entire world trapped by sin and constantly under fire by Satan. He took on the furious hatred of a sick world and bore our sins on a harsh cross. His last words were not “Did they get off?” He knew that all who would confess their sin and put their trust in Him would be saved. Before His last breath, He uttered, “It is finished” (19:30) and died.
            
No one has greater love than dying for one’s friends. This is what makes the bonds among those in the military and first responders so close—at any moment, one might be required to sacrifice their life to rescue another. That love did not evolve out of millions of years of happenstance; it came from the creative Father and Son, who deeply love us and desire that we all should make it to our eternal home. Something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
“The death of Jesus was not the death of a martyr, it was the revelation of the eternal heart of God.”—Oswald Chambers in Conformed to His Image 35
 
©2026 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10—"The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.”  (Holman CSB)

[1] https://www.facebook.com/reel/1535985860998951