"I Can" Series

Police officers and law enforcement agents are in constant communication with their dispatcher and each other through police radio transmissions. As such, police codes are signals and numbers used that correspond to words, phrases, and messages. I’m sure you’ve all heard the police say “10-4,” which means message received or an affirmative. Side note: there is no universal or official set of police codes, they usually vary between one police jurisdiction and another.

Well, back in the ‘70s when I patrolled the streets of Detroit, the DPD had their own radio code language; it has since been updated. At the time, we used what was called the 8000 to 9000 series. 9330 was a very important code: lunch or dinner break (LOL). An 8330 was a bomb threat. An 9300 meant you were out of service with an arrest, and an 8100 was the dreaded, meet the medical examiner code because a dead body needed to be processed.

Now there was one number that took precedence over every other code in the series, and that was 9000. A code 9000 meant there was an officer down or an officer in trouble, and he or she desperately needed assistance. Whenever we heard a code 9000 come out over the air, the whole police world came to a halt. Every available unit, no matter what they were involved in, stopped what they were doing and proceeded, “lights and siren” to the officer-down location. Having to request a code 9000 myself on two different occasions, I can tell you there’s nothing that compares to the sound of a police siren when you’re in trouble. Knowing help is on the way, and your current crisis is going to get better brings a tremendous amount of confidence and assurance. Go ahead and read that last sentence again.

No doubt about it, we are experiencing an “officer in trouble” crisis situation. In the spiritual realm, a code 9000 has been dispatched; and I can promise you this, help is on the way! I know that to be true; that help is right around the corner because the Church of Jesus Christ has been crying out to God in prayer. This current storm has united the Church, and we have flooded heaven's gates with prayers, fasting, and petitions. The bible is very clear: when we pray, God responds. God listens carefully to the prayers of His people and moves into action. There’s a result! I hear the sound! I hear the beautiful sound of heavenly sirens; and in the very near future, I look for the Lord to slam the door on this virus and begin to turn this whole situation around for His glory. As much as I appreciate the scientists and experts, along with all their models and projections, that’s not where my focus is. My eyes and heart are fixed on Jesus; He’s the author and finisher of my faith. I’m convinced beyond a shadow of doubt, He will come through for us.

Daniel 10:12

“Do not be afraid… Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.”

Matthew 8:26

Jesus replied, “…Why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Psalm 107:28-30

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

and He brought them out of their distress. 

He stilled the storm to a whisper; 

the waves of the sea were hushed.

Isaiah 30:18-19

The Lord longs to be gracious to you; 

therefore, He will rise up to show you compassion.

For the Lord is a God of justice.

Blessed are all who wait for Him!

People… you will weep no more. How gracious God will be when you cry for help! As soon as He hears, He will answer you. 

Psalm 46:10

“Be still and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth! 

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

Love & prayers,

Pastor Tony