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).

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