The New York City Police Department, like most other departments, uses codes to help radio communication. Brief and succinct.
For example 10-4 means “Understood” and 10-12 means “Holding Suspect.”
For the NYPD, 10-13 is an emergency code meaning “Assist Police Officer.” Or, as commonly understood, “Officer Needs Help.” 10-13 is an emergency call that brings every available officer in your vicinity to your location … rapidly. Very rapidly!
When YOU need help – who can you call that will drop everything and come your way?
In the Book of Judges, there’s a very different 10-13. (It’s found in the Old Testament Book of Judges, chapter 10, verse 13.) It, too, begins with a desperate call for help. The nation of Israel is being crushed and oppressed by the Philistines and the Ammonites. Coming at them from both sides, the Philistines from the shores of the Mediterranean Ocean and the Ammonites from across the Jordan River, for eighteen years Israel was stomped under their boots. (OK, sandals, but you get the picture.)
But this was because the people of Israel had abandoned the Lord God Almighty, and had decided to worship a whole bunch of other “gods” – they served the Baals and the Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. Like a husband whose wife had taken half a dozen other lovers, the REAL GOD was angry. VERY ANGRY !!!
How angry was God, you may wonder? Judges 10:13 lays it out in terrifying clarity.
“YOU HAVE FORSAKEN ME AND SERVED OTHER GODS, THEREFORE I WILL SAVE YOU NO MORE.”
If that verse doesn’t make the hair on the back of your neck stand up I don’t know what will. That is one of the most terrifying verses in the Bible I know.
Israel had been God’s chosen, His beloved. He took them out of Egypt, protected them from Pharaoh’s army, provided daily provisions for 40 years in the desert, brought them into the land He had promised them and delivered them from their enemies. Over and over again He had proven Himself faithful. The problem was Israel’s ungrateful, sinful and hardened heart. They kept abandoning God and embracing sin. Then, when things got oppressive and their enemies came against them, Israel would repent and return to the Lord to seek His blessing and forgiveness.
They probably figured that they could “enjoy a little sinful fun,” ignore God’s “stupid rules,” and then return to Him when things got too tough. He always took them back before, so it’s not a big deal. Right?
WRONG! Not this time. There’s a terrible and terrifying point where God will say, “You have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more.” The next verse is even worse, if that were possible. God continues and tells them, ” Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.”
He essentially tells them to go see if the “gods” of sex, money, murder and power can save them — from HIS wrath and anger! Friends , it is no benign matter when God Himself has decided “I will save you NO MORE!” Because in THAT situation, your “10-13” call will go unanswered. There’s will be no one who can respond urgently and render assistance when God turns His back.
There is ONE GOD. Period. Full stop.
He is the KING over all the earth. (And the entire rest of the universe, for that matter.) He alone is the KING of GLORY. You can worship whoever or whatever you want, but they cannot ever save you.
THE KING IS COMING. He will return and establish His Kingdom. He will be King over all the earth. And on that day there will be ONE LORD. And HIS NAME ALONE will be worshipped.
One day you will face Him. One day the consequence of your choice will be established for all eternity.
If you have chosen to love Him and serve Him according to His word, you will be there among the massive innumerable throngs of worshippers.
If you have chosen “other gods” then you’ll find no place in His presence.
THIS IS THE DAY to accept His offer of grace, while it still stands.
Send a 10-13 call to Jesus Christ today, and He will respond … rapidly. Very rapidly!
It’s as simple as A-B-C ….
A — ADMIT that you’re a sinner and need Him to forgive you; that you cannot do it alone
B — BELIEVE that Jesus Christ died for YOUR sin and was raised physically from the dead, establishing His victory
C — CONFESS Jesus as your Lord
God responds to that 10-13. And your salvation is guaranteed.
One day you will face Him. The time to call out for His grace and His salvation is now.
