August 10, 2004

THE RESCUER

"And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath" (1 Thessalonians 1:10, NIV).

Several years ago in the small community of Midland, Texas, little Jessica fell down a narrow irrigation well while playing in her back yard. The frightening episode set in motion a massive three-day rescue operation that captured the attention of the United States. Every conceivable rescue technique was employed to keep little Jessica alive until she could be reached. National TV kept the entire country informed of the status of the operation around the clock. Jessica's parents and the whole nation breathed a sigh of relief when on the third day of the historic rescue the exhausted little girl was successfully retrieved from the well. The rescue sparked nationwide spontaneous celebration.

Almost two thousand years ago, a rescue operation of far greater magnitude was launched. The entire universe looked on with interest as Jesus Christ, the rescuer from heaven initiated His massive rescue operation for a world of sinners trapped in sin (see Luke 19:10). That operation still continues around the clock as millions of men and women from every race and place are rescued from the pit of sin. The rescue operation will continue until the last sinner is saved by God's grace. The heavenly rescuer, is "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9, NKJV).

In the meantime, Jesus invites us to join Him in this rescue operation and save someone for the kingdom. Here's a description of the heavenly rescuer: "The Son of God, heaven's glorious Commander, was touched with pity for the fallen race. His heart was moved with infinite compassion as the woes of the lost world rose up before Him... Christ would reach to the depths of misery to rescue the ruined race."--God's Amazing Grace, p. 42.

My Prayer Today: Lord, because of Your great love, You rescued me. Help me to become part of Your rescue operation. Amen.