Scripture
So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 2 Peter 2:9
Observation
Noah and his family were delivered from the flood, but Noah had to build the ark. Lot and his family were delivered from the fire but they had to be willing to leave Sodom and Gomorrah. Our God is One who rescues His people but invites to be a part of the rescue. Today’s reading in Isaiah points out this partnership: 1This is what the Lord says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. 2Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.” (Isaiah 56:1-2) If we think we are going to die and no rescue is coming then we will panic and live as if its “every man for himself”. Self-preservation becomes the norm when God’s salvation is ignored. However, If we know rescue is coming, if we are truly confident we will not be overtaken by the fire or the flood then we will confidently reach out to those who around us so they can be rescued too!
Application
Prior to 2020, we thought we were unsinkable. Like the Titanic, we were floating into our glorious future without a care or concern. The logic of those who built the titanic sprang from their hubris. I think we can all relate:
*Due to advancements that had been made in shipbuilding it was not necessary for boats to carry more lifeboats.
*The latest boats were stronger than ever and had watertight compartments making them unlikely to require lifeboats at all.
*Sea routes used were well-traveled meaning that the likelihood of a collision was minimal.
*The number of lifeboats was reduced from 64 to 20 so that the deck wouldn’t be “too cluttered”.
They didn’t see the iceberg coming and neither did we. 1,517 people were killed in the sinking. 151 thousand have died worldwide from Covid-19. Even using the Lifeboats available which had plenty of room, only one boat went back to rescue those who were drowning in the icy waters. Why? It was the “every man for himself” mentality. They didn’t know if rescue was coming. They had no confirmation any other ships had received the emergency call. As Christians, we serve a God who has rescued us so we can serve Him in rescuing others. Everyone has hit the iceberg this year. The unsinkable and the unthinkable has happened and there are many around us who are treading water and running out of strength. If we simply paddle away in the safety of our lifeboats and turn our back on those who have no hope then we have forgotten the heart of the One who rescued us. Our unshakable God gives us an impossible faith in a time of impossible challenges. Let’s stop living as if we need to save ourselves and live for the One who has already saved us! Let’s stop arguing and debating with those who are drowning and instead give them a helping hand of hope. I just can’t get this quote from a Titanic survivor out of my head: "The partly filled lifeboat standing by about 100 yards away never came back. Why on Earth they never came back is a mystery. How could any human being fail to heed those cries? -Jack B Thayer” We are the lifeboats and it’s time to head to the cries. Jesus is coming back soon and I want as many as possible to come with us before this whole thing sinks.
Prayer
You rescued me! You left the glories of Heaven and came to walk to walk in my skin, my sin, my shame! You died in my place and rose from the dead. You rescued me from the flood of sin and the fires of hell and have called me to tell others about it! Selflessness, not self-preservation is the way forward. Help me to see those around me the way You see them. Instead of “every man for himself” I must die to my self and reach out to those around me.
Comments