The Rescue!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

When the Coast Guard goes on a rescue mission in a storm, they put out to sea when everyone else is trying desperately to reach land. It is the nature of rescue. Unless you are in the storm as well, you can’t rescue those who are lost at sea in the wicked weather! It is a principle of life that applies to every kind of storm. The rescuer must share the storm with those who are being saved!

The One who rescues me in the storms of my life also rode out the storms of life on this earth. Jesus is not a God who stands afar and sends an angel to pluck me from the troubled waters. Jesus jumps in with me and holds me tight as we are lifted to safety!

There are all kinds of rescuers in this world. There are those who talk about the rescues but never get in the water. There are those who encourage and even physically support those who rescue others, and that is indeed important. But then there are those who like Jesus, jump in the water at their own peril to bring the lost to safety.

If you pray for a ministry in this life beware. Desiring to be one who rescues others will send you squarely into a storm like theirs. Then you will be in the perfect place to hold the lost tightly in your arms as Jesus pulls you both to a safety.