How is God's response to a needy sinner like a lifeguard's response?
Like a trained lifeguard who detects one feeble cry amid many noises and springs into action, God hears a needy sinner’s cry for salvation and immediately responds to save. The sinner must first realize their need and call upon Him, believing Christ died and rose from the dead.
Les explains that in a pool full of kids yelling and diving, a weak call for help may go unnoticed by most. But a lifeguard has a trained ear and hears the feeble cry of a child going under for the third time, then springs into action even when others pay no mind. Les says it is the same with God: when God hears a sinner in need of salvation, He is immediately there to save. But the person must still come to the place of realizing their need, and when they cry out, God responds. This is the concept in Romans 10: confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him, and you will be saved. God expects us to cry out on that basis for His help and saving power.