Rescued

I remember an incident that happened to me one of the last times I went white water rafting. I was on a guided trip with a church group going down the Ocoee River. I had my son with me in the raft and he was 12 at the time, I think. The guide had given us lots of instructions during orientation about how to lock your feet in when the rapids got rough. I was trying to follow the instructions, but I was also in “Dad Mode” and make sure my son was safe. All of a sudden we hit a couple of rocks and the boat folded up like a taco shell and I was dumped out of the water in the midst of the cold rushing rapids. The water temperature alarmed me, but very quickly I was even more alarmed at the power of the water. I couldn’t get back to the boat, the rapids were “large and in charge”. I remember the instructions to put my feet down stream and ride it out. I was getting so tired and worn out just trying to ride it out. Finally we hit a patch of fairly calm water and another boat in our group rescued me. I was exhausted and pale. The people in that boat literally pulled me out of the water, because I was helpless. That was a scary event. It took me several years before I went whitewater rafting again.

Abram rescued Lot from harm and it was very dramatic. Check this out….

14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,

‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

    Creator of heaven and earth.

20 And praise be to God Most High,

    who delivered your enemies into your hand.’

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:14-16; 18-20 NIV)

The word rescue means to save someone from a dangerous or distressed situation. Someone who is stronger saves the one who is weaker. I will do anything to rescue my family from harm. I believe that Abram loved Lot like he was his own son. There are times when rescue is very risky, but so very necessary.

The Lord has rescued me more times than I could count. He rescued me for eternity when Jesus became the final and ultimate sacrifice for my sin. I am stunned when I really try to process this rescue. I have no response except to put my hands up and allow Him to pull me back into the boat. The Lord is my Rescuer and Redeemer. I am so very thankful for that level of love and devotion.

Pressing On!

Dwayne