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RESCUED!
Click
here to see Scripture Guide
The
Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.
(2 Peter 2:9, NIV)
SEVERAL
YEARS AGO, while we were still living in Colorado Springs,
we opened the newspaper one morning to read the large
headline of the front page read, “Rescued!”
We could not hold back the tears as we read the story
of 5-year-old Ryan, a young boy with autism, who had
been lost for more than 24 hours in the rugged and densely
forested mountains about 30 miles from where we lived.
After a difficult and treacherous search, Ryan was found
shortly before sunset of the night that otherwise would
probably have been his last.
Besides
the obvious joy any parent would feel at hearing of
a young child rescued from harm’s way, this story
was very personal to us because Ryan’s family
was a part of our local “autism community,”
having two sons with autism. His mother had always been
particularly watchful, so when news of Ryan’s
disappearance came late that Thursday night, we could
scarcely believe it. By Friday morning Jack joined with
hundreds of other volunteers from our autism community
and the around the area to search a remote part of the
Colorado Rocky Mountains for the young boy who had already
spent one night in 26 degree weather and freezing rain
with no coat. Thousands across this country, and even
as far away as Australia and Israel, joined in prayer
for Ryan. Our theme verse was “I myself will tend
my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign
LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the
strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the
weak,” (Ezekiel 34:15-16, NIV).
Ryan’s
shoes and socks had been found by a creek bed, but no
other sign was anywhere to be seen. With only two hours
of daylight left, rescuers, having searched in every
other direction from where the shoes were discovered,
climbed up a steep cliff. There, laying in a fetal position
next to a tree, they found little Ryan, who, with the
exception of sunburn and mild dehydration, was perfectly
safe. As the rescuers gathered him up, an obviously
relieved Ryan, whose verbal skills were limited, kept
saying “no shoes, no shoes” and “cold,
cold.” The Colorado Springs Gazette summed it
up by saying, “Shouts could be heard around the
forest. What was shaping up to be a tragedy suddenly
had a happy ending.” Almost everyone involved
called it a miracle of God, and indeed it was.
As
we pondered Ryan’s amazing story, we began to
think of how the Lord rescues us and our children each
day. Although most of us may not have as dramatic a
story, God does see the dangers we encounter and has
rescued us on many occasions. What are some of the things
the Lord rescues us from? Using the story of Ryan’s
remarkable rescue as an illustration, here are seven
ways God rescues His children:
1.
CLOUDS AND DARKNESS.
“As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock
when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep.
I will rescue them from all the places where they were
scattered on a day of clouds and darkness” (Ezek
34:12, NIV). We all have dark seasons in our lives when
we, like little Ryan, may feel exposed, uncovered, cold,
and alone. Yet, God has promised that we are never truly
alone, and that He has given His angels charge over
us. If you are in a season of clouds and darkness, God
has promised that if you will look to Him, He will bring
you into the daylight and rescue you from your despair.
2.
CALAMITIES.
“From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven
no harm will befall you” (Job 5:19-21, NIV). A
calamity is defined as a great misfortune or disaster;
a catastrophe, grievous affliction, or misery. Even
though many of us have experienced times of calamity
in our lives, God has promised that He has both the
power and the desire to rescue us from calamity, but
we must seek Him. While we do believe God can move and
change any situation at any time, the Bible says that
God has chosen to let us have dominion in the earth.
In other words, God does not move in on our situations
until we invite Him to do so. That is the value of prayer.
We shutter to think what little Ryan’s outcome
would have been if it had not been for the thousands
who asked God to save Ryan from calamity.
3.
THE MOUTH OF LIONS.
“Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me
from the horns of the wild oxen” (Psalm 22:21,
NIV). As the rescuers were searching for Ryan, they
found several tracks of mountain lions. Whether or not
the tracks were fresh, it was clear that the area where
he was lost was the domain of one or more lions, to
whom a 5-year-old boy would have been an effortless
meal. In our lives, it is all too easy to wander into
the “domain of lions,” which is out from
under the safety of the Lord. We may wander into these
places through sin in our lives, disobedience to God’s
direction, or through ignorance. Here is where it is
important to know the Lord as our Shepherd, who leads
and guides us and keeps us in places of safety away
from the mouth of lions. If, however, you have strayed
away from the Lord and His safety, the good news is
that He has promised to rescue you from those things
that would seek to consume you.
4.
LOSING OUR FOOTING.
“For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up
in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot
against a stone. 'Because he loves me,' says the LORD,
'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges
my name' ” (Psalm 91:11,12,14). The Colorado Rocky
Mountains are so named for good reason. They are full
of steep cliffs and craggy rocks, on which even the
most seasoned and well-equipped repellers can lose their
footing. It was in these mountains that young Ryan took
off the protection of his shoes and socks and proceeded
to climb cliffs and rocks barefooted. God must surely
have commanded his angels to guard Ryan’s footing
so that he did not slip and fall to great injury or
death. What’s also amazing is that when he was
found, his feet were in perfect condition, without cuts
or scrapes, despite walking barefoot in rough terrain;
and without frostbite, despite the freezing temperatures.
God will do the same for us, to rescue and protect us,
but here in this verse we see that, if we are to avail
ourselves of His protection and keep our footing sure,
we need to acknowledge His name.
5. OPPRESSION AND VIOLENCE.
“He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight”
(Psalm 72:14, NIV). With every hour that passed, Ryan’s
rescuers grew more anxious and determined to find the
helpless boy. They knew that the chances of a violent
ending was growing greater and greater. Ryan’s
risks were real. The mountains held no mercy for a young
and unprotected boy. When we find ourselves in times
of peril, the violence and oppression that surrounds
us may seem as though they can overtake us. Our risks
are just as real as Ryan’s. But the Lord has said
that our blood in precious in His sight, and that He
has the power to rescue us in times of great danger.
If we call to Him, we will see His hand move to rescue
us from whatever oppression and violence we may have
fallen into.
6.
EVIL ATTACKS.
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack
and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To
him be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy
4:18). In our heart of hearts we do not believe that
the Lord allowed Ryan to wander off and be put in a
dangerous situation. From Genesis to Revelation, the
Bible is clear that we have an enemy who is out to seek
our destruction. We, therefore, believe that Satan and
his evil cohorts saw an opportunity to attack this precious
child, and took it. We believe that Satan seeks his
opportunities in each of our lives to thwart the destiny
that God has for us, and he takes every opportunity
he can find. But, praise God that when we cry out to
Him when we are under attack, that He has promised both
to rescue us from those attacks and to bring us safely
to His heavenly kingdom!
7.
DEATH.
“He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued
them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD
for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men
(Ps 107:20-21, NIV). It is obvious that God rescued
Ryan from death, for which we give Him much praise.
In our lives, God has given us provision to rescue us
from death, hell, and the grave, through the blood of
His son, Jesus. Colossians 1:13 says, “For he
has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought
us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” In this
way, our rescue is just as dramatic as Ryan’s.
Quoting what is perhaps one of the best known verses
in the Bible, “For God so loved the world that
he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life”
John 3:16. This is God’s greatest act of rescue
in our lives. If we will believe on Him, the Bible says
that we will be rescued eternally. If you have never
come to this place in your life, or are wondering if
you are truly saved, here are four basic keys to knowing
God:
A.
God loves you and wants the very best for you. Jeremiah
29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you...
plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future.”
B. The only thing that keeps you from experiencing God's
love is your sin. (Sin is “going your own way”
and falling short of God's will for your life.) Isaiah
59:2 says, “Your iniquities have separated you
from your God. Your sins have hidden His face from you.”
C. The key to knowing God Is to receive Jesus and the
forgiveness He offers. Jesus said, “I am the way,
the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but
through me” (John 14:6). Jesus paid the penalty
for your sin when He shed His blood on the cross. He
died and rose again so that He could bring you into
a relationship with God.
D. Receiving Jesus Involves turning from your sin and
receiving the forgiveness Jesus provides. When you do
that, God sends His Spirit to dwell in your heart and
make you a new person. John 1:12 says, “As many
as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
children of God.”
You receive Jesus through faith. Faith can be expressed
in a simple prayer like this:
“Lord Jesus, I need You. I now turn from my sins
and receive Your forgiveness. Please send Your Spirit
to live within me so I can know You and be all that
You want me to be. I thank You now, by faith, that You
have forgiven all my sins and brought me into a relationship
with You!”* If you prayed this prayer, or would
like to know more about how God rescues us from death,
please contact us at prayer@childrenofdestiny.org.
There
is one other quick note to make concerning God’s
rescue in our lives. What if everyone had prayed, but
no one had searched for Ryan? More than likely, Ryan
would still have died. God provides us with our plan
for rescue, but it is usually up to us to implement
His instructions. It takes both prayer and action for
rescue to take place. Commit your way to God and move
forward in His leading, and you will be rescued!
With
blessings,
Jack and Rebecca Sytsema
*Keys
to Knowing God and prayer for salvation are borrowed
from our parent ministry, Glory of Zion.
©2008,
Children of Destiny. All rights reserved.
To
receive each new topic via email as it becomes available,
please send an email to us at prayer@childrenofdestiny.org.
To view the Scripture Guide, please scroll down.
RESCUED!
SCRIPTURE GUIDE
From
six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm
will befall you. In famine he will ransom you from death,
and in battle from the stroke of the sword. You will
be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not
fear when destruction comes.
(Job 5:19-21, NIV)
"He
trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him
deliver him, since he delights in him."
(Psalm 22:8, NIV)
Rescue
me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns
of the wild oxen.
(Psalm 22:21, NIV)
Guard
my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for
I take refuge in you.
(Psalm 25:20, NIV)
Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my
rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since
you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your
name lead and guide me.
(Psalm 31:2-3, NIV)
My
whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, O LORD?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them."
(Psalm 35:10, NIV)
O
Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from
their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
(Psalm 35:17, NIV)
Come
near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes.
(Psalm 69:18, NIV)
2
Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn
your ear to me and save me.
(Psalm 71:2, NIV)
He
will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious
is their blood in his sight.
(Psalm 72:14, NIV)
Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand
of the wicked.
(Psalm 82:4, NIV)
"Because
he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue
him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will
be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor
him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him
my salvation."
(Psalm 91:14-16, NIV)
Even
to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who
will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
(Isaiah 46:4, NIV)
They
will fight against you but will not overcome you, for
I am with you and will rescue you," declares the
LORD.
(Jeremiah 1:19, NIV)
As
a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is
with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue
them from all the places where they were scattered on
a day of clouds and darkness.
(Ezekiel 34:12, NIV)
The
Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will
bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory
for ever and ever. Amen.
(2 Timothy 4:18, NIV)
if
this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly
men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the
day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.
(2 Peter 2:9, NIV)
He
sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them
from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for
his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
(Psalm 107:20-21, NIV)
For
he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and
brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
(Colossians 1:13, NIV)
Like
birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield
Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will
'pass over' it and will rescue it."
(Isaiah 31:5,NIV)
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am
he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will
carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
(Isaiah 46:4, NIV)
They will fight against you but will not overcome you,
for I am with you and will rescue you," declares
the LORD.
(Jeremiah 1:19, NIV)
As
a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is
with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue
them from all the places where they were scattered on
a day of clouds and darkness.
(Ezekiel 34:12, NIV)
The
Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will
bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory
for ever and ever. Amen.
(2 Timothy 4:18, NIV)
the
Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.
(2 Peter 2:9, NIV)
He
sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them
from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for
his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
(Psalm 107:20-21, NIV)
For
he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and
brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
(Colossians 1:13, NIV)
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