God rescues
Then in their trouble they called to the LORD,
and he saved them from their distress.
He healed them with his command
and saved them from the grave.
They must thank the LORD for his constant love,
for the wonderful things he did for them. (verses 19-21)
In these verses you can see the pattern of Israel’s spiritual life in the Old Testament. Again and again the people rebelled and went their own way. Then, when they got into trouble, they came to their senses and ‘called to the LORD’. And again and again he came to their rescue, and they were thankful.
What you can see here is the endless spring of patience God had for them. That same endless spring is there for you.
Often your pattern of behaviour doesn’t differ greatly from Israel’s. It’s a human pattern, after all. It’s easy to become smug, secure and confident and to think you don’t need God. But then something happens that brings you face to face with the reality that, yes, I do need God after all. I can’t go it alone.
When you cry out ‘Help!’, God comes to your rescue by sending Jesus. Jesus comes to heal you and to save you from the grave. He is the fulfilment of God’s rescue plan for humanity. He comes to save you from being separated from God, now and in eternity.
What a relief this is for you! You experience joy and thanks as you recognise God’s unfailing, unconditional and undeserved love, and as you remember all that God has done for you and all who have faith in Christ.
Lord, help me not to forget your great love for me. Thank you for hearing my cry for help and coming to my rescue. Amen.
by Alicia Simpfendorfer, in ‘God’s Peace for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2005)
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