People everywhere are facing tough
situations. From women abandoned by their husbands to those grieving the loss
of loved ones, and even those who have lost everything they’ve worked so hard
for—everyone shares a common need: a rescue from God above. In the midst of our
struggles, it can feel like we’re trapped in a storm, with waves crashing all
around us. Yet, there is hope, because our God is a mighty Rescuer. Psalm 34:18
(NLT) reminds us, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those
whose spirits are crushed.” When we feel lost and alone, we must remember
that He sees our pain and is ready to lift us from our despair.
The Old Testament tells us about how
God delivered the Israelites through Moses, as they fled Egypt, trapped between
the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army. They cried out in fear, believing themselves to
be doomed, but God parted the waters and led them to safety. There are
countless records of God delivering people when they felt they had no hope.
Just as He rescued them, He is eager to do the same for us in our own trials.
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) assures us: “When you go through deep waters, I will be
with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.” These
words remind us that our Rescuer walks alongside us, even in the darkest
valleys.
God’s delivering power as our Rescuer, Redeemer, and Rock isn’t limited to grand historical events; it reaches into our everyday lives. Perhaps you’re facing a diagnosis that shakes your faith or a relationship that feels beyond repair. In these moments, we can lean on 2 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT), which says, “And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again.” This promise is a beacon of hope, reminding us that God’s hand is always present, ready to intervene in our lives when we need it most.
There may be some of you who have
encountered people who would like nothing better than to see you suffer. But as
the seasoned veterans in my church often say, “With God on your side, you
can never fail.” When we don’t trust God during our tough times, we risk
separating ourselves from Him through a lack of faith in His love for us. Doubt
can be one of our biggest enemies, and too often, in moments of tribulation,
many Christians forget to focus on God’s love. As Jesus reminds us in Mark 11:23
(NLT), “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be
lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really
believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.” Instead of
anchoring ourselves in doubt, we should yearn for rest—rest from the hard
times, rest from the struggles and strife that are sometimes all too common in
our lives.
Many of us carry deep pain and hurt
within us, making the idea of living free from it feel almost impossible. Yet,
God assures us that we don’t have to remain unhappy, sad, or depressed if we
come to Him with all our burdens. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 (NLT), “Come
to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you
rest.” He invites us to lay our fears, worries, and tumultuous situations
at his feet, promising that he will carry our load.
In our journey toward healing, it’s
important to understand that God’s help doesn’t always come right away.
Sometimes, finding freedom takes time and a lot of patience. In James 1:2-3
(NLT), we’re reminded to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of
your faith produces perseverance.” Each challenge we encounter has the
potential to strengthen our faith and produce perseverance. When we embrace
this mindset, our struggles can turn into chances for growth. We begin to see
how God remains faithful in our lives, even when things are tough. This
perspective not only helps us cope with difficulties but also reveals the
beauty of our relationship with God through His grace and mercy.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
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