3:107 – Rescue Me

#faithbites #faithjourney Rescue

There was a show in 2007 called Rescue Me with Denis Leary, which follows the lives of Firefighters in the NYFD. We used to watch it for the drama and the comedy. Now, we watch Chicago Fire, which follows the lives of members of the Chicago Fire Department. You may be wondering why I am talking about these shows in a #faithbite. The reason is they are both about being saved in difficult situations. In Chicago Fire, when the firefighters search a building, they always say “Fire department, call out”. This is a chance for the injured to let the firefighters know where they are, so they can get help. While the firefighters will still look for them, even if they don’t call out, the effort on behalf of the victims helps them to be rescued sooner. Sometimes, they are rescued, other times, they aren’t. But the firefighters always try.

This is exactly how our #faithjourney is. We need to be rescued by Jesus. God wants us to be with him and sent Jesus to find us. At the same time, we need to call out to him. We need to pray as he told us to, and we have some responsibility in believing and doing the work. The work doesn’t save us, but our faith with.

Scripture

• John 12:24 – I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.
• 1 John 5:14 – This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 – if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Reflection

Who will rescue you? In our passages, we see both the work that needs to be done (1 John 12:24 / 2 Chronicles 7:14) and that we need to call out in prayer (1 John 5:14 / 2 Chronicles 7:14). God, like the firefighters, don’t need the people to put out the fire. He has all the power in the universe to do it. When we do the work, when we call out, he answers by saving us sooner, and making our recovery less painful.

It is easy to say hi to a firefighter when you see one on the street. It is much more difficult to call out when you are inhaling smoke and everything is burning. Likewise, praising God in good times is easy, when we are hurt and hunkering down, it’s more difficult. Make sure to always turn your face to the Lord for he will rescue you.

Challenge

Have you made a routine of calling out to Jesus? Do you only call during the rough times or do you have a relationship when you ask for rescue daily? Think about how you can build that deeper relationship with him.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for sending your Son to rescue us. We are often in fires, whether we see it or not, where we need to call out to you for rescue. Hear you calls and send help. Then let us see the help and know that we need to plant the seed. We need to do the work to to be rescued how you want us to be. Thank you, God for always being there for us even when we don’t think we need you. In your name, Amen.