Friday, January 14, 2011

Rescue Me

After my morning prayer, my thoughts reflected on what it felt like to be in jail. Although it happened many years ago, I still remember the vivid details of my brief incarceration. Jail strips away at your identity until you no longer have one; you become part of a system that feeds on human flesh. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t condemn the criminal justice system. Without it, our society would be in chaos, but it doesn’t seem to measure up to its name; Department of Corrections.

As I thought back to how alone, helpless, hopeless and desperate I felt, confined in a small room, sitting on a metal bed, I wanted to be rescued. I’ve had that same thought so many times since that night; I want to be rescued. My prayers often convey to God my need for guidance, understanding, or forgiveness:
  1. I want to be rescued from my uncertainties.
  2. I want to be rescued from my confusion.
  3. I want to be rescued from my transgressions.
In jail, there is nothing I can do to remedy my circumstances. I may want to plead for the mercy of the court but during my confinement, there is no judicial proceeding. I didn’t know God at that time (although He knew me), but today, when I find myself confined by my circumstances, I can pray.

Prayer allows me to express to the one person who will listen to my voice. I pray to the Sovereign Lord who sees me not only in my circumstance, but knows what lies ahead for me; whether it’s the next minute, hour, day, week, month, year or lifetime, God sees all of my unfolded life. God knows what’s coming and He knows where I’m going. I may not know what lies ahead for me, but God has given me a reason to trust Him with my life; the reason is found in the life of His Son, Jesus Christ.

In jail, I was panic-stricken; I couldn’t trust anyone. I wanted help, I certainly needed help; but I didn't trust those around me. Today, I only seek help from the Lord. The bible says, “…If God is for us, who is against us?1 To know that no matter what happens, God is with me, is the reassurance I need to dispel any doubt, fear, and panic. I confess to Him, that, even if all around me is sinking sand, I know that I stand on the Rock that is Christ. I have called out to the Lord just as Peter did that night when he saw Christ walking on the water:

Peter said to Him,Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’”2

Faith in Christ isn’t just asking to walk with Christ; it’s actually walking with Him through the troubled waters of my life. It’s learning the truth of His words:

…Since God assured us,I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,we can boldly quote,
God is there, ready to help;
I'm fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?
3

Trusting the Lord is the only option that truly never disappoints. Life holds the potential to disappoint me, friends and family may disappointment me, but Christ will never disappoint me. The promise and provision of The Sovereign God assures me of His concern and love.

Christ will rescue me!

Eternal God and Father,

I find such reassurance in Your word. You are Truth and Light to me; I have no reason to fear. You are with me. During the past week, many have suffered tragedy. Some have lost homes due to flooding, some have lost loved ones through sickness or accident. Some have lost loved ones through senseless violence. Whatever the circumstances are Lord, we grieve and express our sorrows with them. I thank You Lord God that no matter what happens in my life, You always love and care; Your grace is sufficient. May all who call on the name of the Lord, continue to trust and hope in You. Amen.


Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte and Ginger).Spiritual Sunday's

Footnotes:
  1. Romans 8:31, NASB
  2. Matthew 14:28, NASB
  3. Hebrews 13:5-6, The Message
References:
  1. The Ryrie Study Bible (New American Standard Version), Edited by Charles C. Ryrie, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, ISBN 0-8024-8920-6
  2. The Message Bible, by Eugene H. Peterson, NavPress Publishing Group, Colorado Springs, CO, ISBN-13: 978-1600060250

18 comments:

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I did not realize it was that bad in jail. I am glad to informed. I am thankful for our freedom by Jesus
kim

My Mad World said...

Another wonderful post my friend! I am so glad that you did come to know our Lord. You are right, He knew you then and still loved you and still loves you today!

I love that verse, if God is for us, who is against us? I think of that one often.

The Lord is the only one that can comfort us, the only one we should put our full trust in. He will never fail us and will never leave us.

I am so glad that I can put that kind of trust in someone that loves me unconditionally and has loved me since before I was born. He knew me then and knows me now. I am just praying that I will continue to love Him as much as He loves me! He's the best thing to wake up to everyday that He allows us to!

Have a blessed weekend! Love ya!

dunlizzie said...

MTJ --

You are so right. Everywhere there is somebody struggling with the pain of circumstances, regardless of the cause. In Ireland right now, as the global recession has hit this country very hard, folk are in constant uproar about the corruption in government. As a nation dependent on social benefits, the people have now found that they have nothing to depend on. Like you wanted, they want to be rescued.

I was in the pub talking to the owner about this just the other day. In reference to this current dilemma, he said people feel trapped and there is nothing they can do. He asked me what I thought. The Lord quickened me with a scripture. It was Psalm 121:1-8, of which I told him the first two verses.

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.


Just as you discuss here, the Lord is our only hope. He is not a fleeting hope. He is as you say, the one person who will listen to my voice. He listens. He answers. We cry out, "Oh Jesus," and He rescues us.

I stand in agreement with your prayer, praising Him who saves and praying also that people will look beyond the circumstances to find Him.

Thanks again for such an honest post. God bless -- dunlizzie :)

Judy said...

Hi MTJ,

Great post! Prayer is our only answer. It sets us free from feeling imprisoned as you say, knowing that God is with us even unto the end of the age. May God bless you and keep and give you rest.

Blessings,
Judy

michelle said...

this is awesome and just what i needed to read right at this moment. thanks!

Sharon said...

Such encouraging words. I was reminded of one of my favorite Scriptures - Isaiah 61:1-2:

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring GOOD NEWS to the poor. He has sent me to COMFORT the brokenhearted and to proclaim that CAPTIVES will be RELEASED and PRISONERS will be FREED. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD'S favor has come..."

It is only the great and selfless sacrifice of our dear Jesus that truly gives us a "Get Out of Jail Free" card!

Who or what can get to me? INDEED!

GOD BLESS!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

once again...you've hit it right on for me MTJ. I too had been incarcerated....and felt that 'panic' and helplessness wishing someone would reach out and rescue me. And He did...I'm so grateful for that and for His grace that is always ready to reach out when I need to be 'rescued' again and again. You're the best MTJ....what you lived and your faith in HIm....touches me so much. Thank you for that. Sarah

Karen said...

As always, your post really blessed me. Thank you. I agree with you in prayer.

Joan Hall said...

My husband and I have served in prison ministry and it's hard to describe the feeling I had the first time I went there. The tall fences with razor wire coiled on top - the towers with guards armed with rifles - even the process we go through at check-in. However, we know at the end of the day, we will walk from those prison gates free and many of those we visit may never see the outside of a prison wall.

However as Christians, we know that we have been set free in Christ, no matter our circumstances. I'm reminded of the verse found in Galatians 5:1 - "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

That freedom, that security, is something than no one can take from us.

Blessings,
Joan

Charlotte/For Such A Time As This said...

Being in circumstances where you have absolutely no control can be so scary, but I know personally, that is exactly the place I learned to trust God. I don't want to go back there, but I'm thankful it was part of the journey. Thank you for your honesty and sharing this post, there are many kinds of prisons, and I'm so glad God's desire is to set us free from them.

Charlotte said...

What a marvelous lesson you have learned since those early days. I believe sometimes God allows us to get in situations like this to realize that He is the only one we can turn to. It's a shame that only a few learn this lesson. I'm glad you were one of those few. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Blessings,
Charlotte

INSIDE THE SHRINK said...

Living in a world of uncertainty and constant change, it is truly awesome to know our God never changes and we can fully trust Him with no fear of disappointment. We need this message every day and we need to spread this message to those who are hurting. God bless, Dr. Bobbi

Wanda said...

Hi MTJ, as always a very insightful read. There's peace in knowing that God is always there regardless of what is going on around me.

Donnie said...

That was a thoughtful and thought provoking post. Thank you.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi MTJ,
It's a comfort to know that no matter where we find ourselves, He is always as close as the mention of His name. I'm glad you've discovered that truth too. Thanks for your very thoughtful message. And peace to you this week.

Blessings,
Sandi

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Sometimes I wonder how many people are in that circumstance and don't even think to pray. I'm am glad that you did.
God Bless,
Ginger

William said...

Encouraging bro, I am always blessed when one can be so open and honest

Blessings to you

Tonya said...

I love prayer. Real prayer. It escapes me often during the routine of everyday life. It's wonderful to be reminded of what a blessing it is, how it really is our well of living water. Thank you.