The Bible of Neto

"Thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of thy wings I will sing with joy." Psalm 63. 7

28 November 2016. Medellín, Colombia. An airliner flying from Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia) to Medellín crashes on a rocky massive forty kilometers from its destination; A few minutes before, the crew had requested an emergency landing. Problems of fuel and electricity would be the cause of this disaster. Crash: only 6 survivors out of 81 people on board. The aircraft carried members of the football team from Chapecoense (Brazil) who were going to play in the South American Cup final, as well as high-ranking football personalities and Brazilian sports journalists.

A Bible was found intact at the scene of the accident with a bookmark in Psalm 63 from which is extracted the verse of the day. This Bible belonged to Helio Neto, one of the rescued footballers and was handed over to his wife. She confirmed that her husband is a convinced Christian and always takes his Bible wherever he goes. Do not deduce that Neto was one of the rare survivors, though injured, because he was reading this passage ! Nevertheless, we know that "the Lord keeps the faithful" (Psalm 31:23), and this footballer is one of those faithful whom God likes to keep.

Christians can say : "God is our refuge and our strength, a help in distress always easy to find" (Psalm 46: 1) ; They are also called to witness at every moment of their faith and the goodness of God towards them. Neto did not know that the plane he was in was going to crash ; Nevertheless, what was he doing ? He was reading the Bible ! This is a testimony vis-à-vis his flying neighbors! And today, after the crash that touched the whole sports world and even beyond, we talk about the Neto Bible ! Here, the simple reading of a passage from the Bible can have repercussions beyond what one might imagine.

My God, make sure that among the men and women who are moved by this accident, which has destroyed a sports team, many are interested in what Neto was reading, come in contact with you, find salvation and can now say : "Keep me , O God, for I trust in you "(Psalm 16: 1). This for your glory. Amen.

Source (To pleasing the Lord)