2 Timothy 3:10-11
10 "But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it." In this passage Paul was reminding Timothy of the time he was almost stoned to death. The people throwing the stones assumed him dead and dragged him outside of the city walls. Yet, I find it so profound that Paul would tell Timothy that the Lord had rescued him from it all! He was taken for dead, yet still proclaimed that the Lord had "rescued" him. WOW!
Do you ever find yourself in very dark and desperate situations, yet God doesn't seem interested in coming to your rescue? Sometimes we just don't realize that His "rescue" comes in His pulling of us closer to Him instead of closer to our physical deliverance. However, we are ultimately being rescued! You may have to go through some dreaded circumstances in life, but as long as it brings greater glory to Him, then praise God for it! That has been His element of rescue! Just as someone would throw out a life saver to a drowning person, once they grab hold, they are pulled closer to the rescuer! They didn't anticipate being lost in waters of turmoil, just as we don't anticipate certain struggles in life, yet our Savior comes to our rescue!
Think of a time God has rescued you (pulled you closer to Him) through an unforeseen struggle, and thank Him for being your rescuer! What an awesome God He is!
1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
Linked up with:
On Your Heart Tuesdays
Finding Heaven
Encouraging Words Wednesday
Hear It On Sunday! Use it On Monday!
I can think of many times God has rescued me or pulled me closer to Him. He is so, so, so good!!
ReplyDeleteThis really spoke to me, "Sometimes we just don't realize that His "rescue" comes in His pulling of us closer to Him instead of closer to our physical deliverance." God has definitely rescued me in this way. He is so good!
ReplyDeleteI love that song. And, no matter how many times we feel we are drowning, he always comes to our rescue! God is good.
ReplyDeleteYour words make me think "yes, this is what it is to find joy in the hard." Realizing that rescuing is happening even when I cannot see it because I know my God is good.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you linked up with Soli Deo Gloria! You are always welcome here! Looking forward to getting to know you better.
Thank you ladies for your thoughts and kind words! I love how he pulls me closer to Him in every situation if I allow Him to. It brings me a closer connection with Him and He receives all the glory! Sounds like a win-win situation to me! Jen- so glad I found your blog! I'm somewhat new to blog world, but I'm enjoying finding my way around! Look forward to knowing you better as well!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate this post and agree wholeheartedly with your thinking. If things were perfect, we wouldn't need Him. I'd rather them be imperfect and feel as though I must draw very close to Him every minute. God bless you, Sister. Visiting from Michelle's Graceful.
ReplyDelete