Rescued

Psalm 91:14-16

“’Because he loves me’, says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.’” (NIV)

             Ever have one of those days, weeks, months or even years that you just wish someone would come along and rescue you? I am one of those girls who loves fairy tales and rescued princesses. I know that they are not real and that life does not always have happy endings, but I just love it when all works out well in a story and when the princess gets her prince. Call me a hopeless romantic or a dreamer, but I’ve always loved a happy ending. My husband told me this morning that, “I just care so deeply about things, and that I really want all to be right and good”.  This is not always the case in the real world, bad stuff happens, but there is a Rescuer who cares deeply about us and Who wants to rescue us from the grasp of the world’s worries.

                    This morning, I was feeling a bit discouraged about my health issues, and things of this world and I felt a little weepy. I opened my devotionals and read for a bit. In spite of my aching joints and a mysterious eye irritation that is preventing me from getting my proper meds, I headed outside to “play” in my garden. It was early, and the dew was still on the grass. Physically I felt like I just couldn’t do it, but I think I’m more of a fighter than I give myself credit for. I sucked it up and went to work. As I dug and weeded, I talked with the Lord. The birds were singing all around me. I should have been celebrating the beauty of His creation, but  I was having quite the pity party instead. But, I kept on working. As I worked, I noticed that about ten of my new Lantana plants had been leveled by the deer. I was so disappointed. I do not plant a lot of flowers, though I enjoy them so much, because we live on the woods and have a HUGE deer issue. They can clean out every green thing you have in a night’s time. But, in the past they have never eaten Lantana. Well, that ended last night. They feasted on it.

 
            Well, I teared up (I know, it’s silly) but decided to press on in spite of my loss. All God’s creatures, right? I guess if I choose to live on the woods, I’ve gotta feed the animals. So, I got back to work and sucked it up again. Shortly, I was feeling pretty tired, and my joints were screaming. I was determined not to let my arthritis get to me. I worked on, but truthfully, the more I worked, the more I let my mind go to a place of pity for myself. So, I stopped, got a chair and sat in the shade. It was quitting time. I accomplished little, but I did accomplish something at least. One little step at a time things get done.

            Whenever I allow the things of this world to fill my mind, my focus is removed from the Person and place that it should remain on. And when I let that happen, I go south pretty quickly. I knew where I needed to head. I put away my tools and headed inside. I got cleaned up and picked up my Bible. I read a couple of my favorite passages, and then headed to one of my favorites, Psalm 91. I read it over and over. I read about God and His covering over me. I read about “…resting in the shadow of the Almighty.” When I took my break outside and rested in the shadow of the trees, it was so refreshing. The breeze cooled my body and I found rest. When I open the Word and spend time under the shadow of the Almighty, I find an even better rest, a greater peace, and a deeper refreshing. I am always amazed when God’s Word comforts my heart and mind. I do not know why it still surprises me, but it does. He is so faithful to speak to us through His Word if we will only get ourselves into it. It is His Love Letter to His children.
          
            Many years ago, as a little six year old girl, so afraid of life and the world, so unaware of my need for a Savoir, a stranger led me to Jesus, and Jesus rescued me. He rescued me from death. He rescued me from bad things around me and he rescued me from sin. I am so thankful. Today, when I was feeling discouraged, He rescued me again. He reminded me that He loves me and that I am never alone. He reminded me that even when my body hurts so bad that I don’t feel I can function, He will give me strength and courage to press on. He fills me hope, peace and even joy. He rescues me over and over. He truly is my Blessed Redeemer. I’d like to close with one of my favorite worship songs. Appropriately, it is called, “Rescue”. God bless you and may this writing encourage someone out there. Terry J

You are the source of life

And I can't be left behind
No one else will do
And I will take hold of You

Cause I need You Jesus

To come to my rescue
Where else can I go
There's no other name
By which I am saved
Capture me with grace
I will follow You

My heart is Yours for life
I need Your hand in mine
No one else will do
I put my trust in You

I need You Jesus

To come to my rescue
Where else can I go
There's no other name
By which I am saved
Capture me with grace
Capture me with grace
Capture me with grace
I will follow You
I will follow You

I will follow You

This world has nothing for me
I will follow You
This world has nothing for me
 
CCLI Song # 4084763
Jared Anderson
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