The Spanish galleon, Nuestra Senora de Atocha sank 34 miles off the coast of Key West during a hurricane in 1622. It was on its way back from Havana, Cuba to Cadiz, Spain. Not only did it take down with it 260 precious lives, but also more than 40 tons of silver and gold, 100,000 “pieces of eight” Spanish coins, Colombian emeralds, silver and gold artifacts and over 1000 silver bars. Total estimated value: $450 million dollars.

 

Diver and treasure hunter Mel Fisher made it his consuming passion to find the sunken treasure. He was willing to pay the price, no matter how high. Price tag? Over 20 million dollars. The priceless lives of his eldest son and daughter-in-law, who drowned when their boat tipped over.

 

16 years later on July 20, 1985, he achieved his goal. The mother lode had been found. But he still could not claim it as his own as the State of Florida and the U.S. Government took him to court claiming that the treasures belonged to them. 8 years and several million dollars in legal fees later, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the treasures belonged to Mel Fisher and his family.

 

Needless to say it was not smooth sailing. Granted the prospect of discovering all that buried booty was great motivation. But, how do you keep going day after empty day, dive after frustrating dive until you find it?

 

Mel Fisher had a way of keeping himself and his crew encouraged and excited about the excursions into the depths of the ocean. He would start every day with this rallying cry: “Today is the day!”

 

Most days, that slogan would turn out to be totally untrue. But finally that day did indeed come when he could truly claim it and mean it!

 

Was it simply optimism? Was he prophesying over himself and his crew every day? What do you think?

 

No matter how we label it, the fact remains that it kept Fisher and his crew on the edge of expectancy each and every day. They carried out their daily tasks knowing that this could indeed be the day when they hit paydirt.

 

Dear DWOD friend, this is the power of hope in action. I am not sure about Mel’s faith convictions, but when you walk on the road to your destiny as a follower of Jesus who is filled with the Holy Spirit, anything and everything is possible, isn’t it?

 

How long did it take for Jesus to get Saul’s attention so that he would go on to become Paul? One blinding moment in time. Do you know any precious ones who need to come into the family of Christ? What is stopping you from declaring that Today Is The Day that they forsake their sinful ways and receive the gift of salvation?

 

Visualize the change that a blind beggar named Bartimaeus experienced. How long did it take for him to receive his miracle? One declaration from Jesus: “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Mark 10:52). Know anyone who needs a miracle? Why would you not step out in faith and declare that Today Is Their Day?

 

Is there a breakthrough you need in your life? What did it take for a woman about to be stoned to death for adultery to be set free? One intervening word of wisdom from Jesus: “Let he that is without sin among you cast the first stone.” (John 8:7) Why can you not believe that God can deliver you from your dilemma with one simple act of intervention?

 

As you advance toward your destiny, why not take a cue from Mel Fisher and begin every day with the same declaration: TODAY IS THE DAY? You too will experience the day when this prophecy is fulfilled and the repeated decree becomes a rich reality.