Thursday, September 17, 2026From the news

Pulled from the Flames: A Miracle of Mercy and Divine Protection

In Ollie Millroy's fiery crash rescue by Loek Hartog, we see God's promised deliverance through fire and the Samaritan call to compassionate action, inviting us to trust His nearness in our own trials.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. (ESV)

Isaiah 43:2

But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. (ESV)

Luke 10:33-34

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (ESV)

Romans 8:28

Dear friend, imagine the terror of that moment eleven days ago at the Shanghai International Circuit. British racing driver Ollie Millroy, 36, was struck by two cars during the China GT Championship. His Ferrari burst into flames and slammed into the safety barriers. Barely conscious, he was trapped inside for over a minute as fire raged around him. From his hospital bed in China, Millroy told the BBC, 'It's a miracle I'm alive.' And then came Loek Hartog, the 23-year-old Dutch driver in a Porsche, who stopped instantly, grabbed an extinguisher, fought back the flames, and pulled Millroy to safety. Every step, Millroy marveled, was perfectly executed—like a scene from a movie, yet utterly real. 'It was as though someone had pre-programmed him to get me out of that car,' he said, even confessing he's not religious.

What a story of raw human bravery amid unimaginable danger. Hartog himself recalled the fear, the quick realization that Millroy couldn't escape alone. 'I don't know why I went there,' he said. 'There was no reasoning... it was how I have been taught—how I grew up.' Now, as Millroy recovers, tied to machines but planning to race again, Hartog is flying back to China for their reunion. Tears flowed when Hartog first recounted the rescue in the hospital. Millroy's wife Fern, who's been by his side while their three children stay with family, speaks of instantly loving this stranger who saved her soulmate and their children's father. A profound bond has formed, one that transcends the racetrack, revealing the goodness in people and the beauty of selflessness.

In the quiet of your morning, as you sip your coffee or face whatever trial lingers from a hard week, let these events draw your heart to the unchanging promises of God's Word. Hear the tender assurance in Isaiah 43:2: 'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you... when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.' Ollie Millroy walked through literal fire, flames licking at his car, yet he emerged without life-changing burns. Whether he names it as such or not, this echoes the Lord's faithful nearness. God, in His mercy, promises to be with us in the floods and fires of life—not always sparing us from the heat, but ensuring it does not devour us. Take heart, beloved; the same God who preserved Millroy in that inferno is your refuge today.

And see in Loek Hartog the compassion of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:33-34. Journeying along his own path in the race, he came upon the wounded man, saw his need, and acted with mercy—binding wounds, using what he had at hand. Hartog didn't hesitate or calculate; compassion moved him. Jesus told this parable to show what it means to love our neighbor: not just words, but tender, risky care for the hurting stranger. In our busy lives, God places such moments before us too. Perhaps it's pulling over for the stranded driver, listening to a lonely friend, or stepping into someone's crisis. Let us remember, friend, that in showing mercy, we reflect the heart of Christ, who first rescued us from our own peril.

Finally, rest in the deep comfort of Romans 8:28: 'And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.' The crash was chaos, the fire a nightmare, yet it wove together a story of survival, brotherhood, and even organizational review for better safety. God's providence turns even wreckage into redemption. Millroy senses it was 'meant to be'; as believers, we know the One orchestrating it all. Whatever fire you're passing through—illness, loss, uncertainty—trust that Jesus, who walked through the ultimate fire of the cross for you, is weaving good from it. Lean into personal faith in Him today; let His grace be your extinguisher against fear.

This miracle on the track calls us to practical discipleship: notice the burning cars around us, act with trained compassion, and praise the God who delivers. Your story, like Millroy's, is held in those faithful hands. Be consoled; He is near.