Short Stories

Rescued

by Sheree Murphy
07/18/15
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It is raining hard. The front yard is flooding. Not that unusual in most places. But this is July in southern California and we are in the middle of a four year drought.

 As I watched the news coverage of the storm and listened to the rhythmic sound of the rain hitting the roof a thought occurred to me. We may go through many trials and much heart ache in this life (James 1:2-3; 1Peter 1:6-7). But if we know Jesus as Lord and Savior then this is as bad as it is going to get for us. Death, illness, accidents, fiances, divorce, broken appliances, leaking roofs, fancy clothes, lost jobs, big houses, foreclosed houses, expensive cars, flat tires or what people think of us are not going to MATTER in heaven. Neither are our plans or what we want. They will be far outweighed by the glory of heaven and seeing Jesus face to face.

 I attended a Christian women's event a few months ago. The theme verse was, “The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My Name. When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.” (Psalm 91:14-15) The question I had to ask myself is, “Do I believe it?” My question to you is, “Do you believe it?”

 The bible is full of God's promises. Do you believe them? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins? That on the third day God raised Him from the dead and by His death He has saved His children from the depths of Hell and eternal separation from God? If we do, and we have repented of our sins and received Jesus as Lord and Savior, then this life shouldn't have a hold on us. We are sojourners and pilgrims (1Peter 2:11) on our way to our eternal home in heaven.

 Seasons change. We have to allow ourselves to be changed in them. Notice I did not say that we have to change ourselves. That is an impossible task. It may work for a while but it doesn't last. The Lord must be allowed to mold and shape us into a vessel that is glorifying to Him.

 2 Samuel 22:20 states, “He brought me out into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.” Years ago a friend shared this verse with me. At the time we were through very difficult times in our marriage. A pastor explained that the broad place was a place of safety. I thought that the place of safety would be to remove me from the circumstances. That didn't happen.

 As time went on I realized that the place of safety was the Lord Himself. He is the one who rescued me and who gave me His joy and His peace during trying circumstances. He delighted in me even when I was fearful and struggling to believed that He was near and that He cared. In the process the Lord transformed our marriage. I am thankful for that trial because a few years later my husband died. We were more in love at the end then at the beginning. It takes stress and pressure to form a diamond. That is what the Lord did. He took a faltering relationship and turned it into a thing of beauty.

It is now years later. Many other trials have occurred. During each one we have to stand on this promise: “To You they cried and were rescued; in You they trusted and were not put to shame.” (Psalm 22:5) Our hope must rest in Christ alone. Does yours? He is our rescuer. Our very present Help in time of need.