RESCUED FROM THE STORM
- Key Verse
"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.'" (Psalm 31:14)
READ THE PASSAGE
Central Truth
Our Lord is willing and able to rescue us from dangers and trials we face in this life, and He rescues us from eternal death when we call upon Him for salvation.
Reflections
When I was a young boy I loved to go fishing with my dad. I remember waking up before the sun would rise and anxiously waiting to make my first cast. This particular day we were fishing a few miles off shore; it was beautiful outside and the fish were biting. Everything was going great until unexpectedly, the sky went from light to dark and we went from dry to drenched as the skies opened up and poured down on us. We were suddenly caught in the middle of a storm.
We quickly began to flee from the storm, but the strong winds, rain and massive waves were too powerful for our tiny boat. We were in real danger as the waves crashed into us from all sides. The boat was taking on water; we were sinking.
Dad ordered me to put on my life jacket and to hold on to his leg as he tried to steer. I remember holding on as tight as I could, fearful of dying and physically crying out to God for help. We pleaded for Him to rescue us and to provide a way of escape. Then, through the near blinding rain -seemingly out of nowhere - He provided a huge boat to rescue us.
In Psalm 31, David cries out to the Lord in a time of deep distress and states his trust in the Lord to provide refuge. We must remember that our Lord is willing and able to rescue us from the dangers and trials we face in this life and He wants us to call upon Him for refuge. He is faithful! Even more amazing, He is willing and able to rescue us from eternal death and desires us to call upon Him for salvation, too.
The Lord heard our prayer that day on the boat and rescued us from the storm. He will hear your prayer and rescue you, if you call upon Him, for “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21)Discussion Questions
1. List the storms and trials in your life that God has rescued you from.
2. When do you find yourself crying out to God? Is it only during times of trouble, need and desperation?
3. Is there anything right now that you need to give to God and trust Him with?
4. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His faithfulness and for being your refuge.
Chip Smith
February 12, 2010 05:52 AM
Good morning Ryan: I have been there, done that, but in a small "Sunfish" sailboat all by myself. I was reliving that time as I read your experience. Many, many years later, the memory still brings back the panic and fear I had that day. Like David, I cried out to the LORD (vs. 22). Even though I was not saved at the time, he heard me and rescued me. I am ashamed to say that even after I accepted Christ as my Savior, it has from time to time taken a storm to force my reliance back onto the LORD. However, I have discovered how blessed it is to rely on God all the time and am able to maintain that reliance through ministries like JourneyMen and our Real Life Group. By the way, I almost shifted my favorite team from the "Cowboys" to the "Saints" this year....not! :-)
Jack S
February 12, 2010 04:39 PM
Thanks Ryan! I am encouraged by your devo and your experiences and passion for God! You reminded me, that God has rescued me many times from the raging waters of life, Like the Casting Crowns Song "Praise You In This Storm"; we too can trust God and Praise Him during the storms in our lives.
Linda Jean Butler
February 12, 2010 06:46 PM
Wow, that must have been frightening. How great to have both your earthly and heavenly fathers watching out for you.
Rob White
February 17, 2010 01:19 PM
Ryan, Thanks for sharing...not just in this devotional but with our middle/school Jr. High kids on an ongoing basis. You and Nicole are a blessing and great role models. Rob