He Will Rescue Us

And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again.
We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.
 2 Corinthians 1:10 NLT

As we leave 2020 and look back, I am sure you are like me in thanking God for getting us through that year and even recognizing all the miraculous ways he saved us from danger, blessed us through the fear and held us when we cried out for help. He has proven his grace and faithfulness, even in our losses.

One of my favorite verses from my early Christian life is the verse above from 2 Corinthians. Paul is looking back on a very difficult time in his life, when he faced death, and tries to make sense of it in light of who he knows Christ to be and who he is in Christ. Just like us. As I read it, I feel his triumphant relief at having survived and his exuberant realization of what God had taught him through the trials. My prayer for you is that you, too, feel as Paul did. “It was painful. It was bad, but God was in it with me and used it to grow me stronger in my faith, and now I am sure that he can, and will, rescue me and use all things for my good.”

As 2021 begins, let’s stand together at the Cross of Christ, now empty, and celebrate together the resurrected, incarnated life of Jesus in us. It is alive and growing! The old is put to death, and a glorious new life has begun. We step into it by keeping our spirits focused on Jesus, who guided us through the mine fields of 2020, nursed our wounds and healed our hearts, and now stands in our spirits as a testimony of our Father’s faithfulness, promising never to leave, nor forsake us in the future. He has rescued us, and will continue to rescue us as we help each other by praying and declaring victory over ourselves in the steadfast truth of his Word. This will bring much glory to the Father.

Here is the verse above in context. 2 Corinthians 1:8b-11: We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

Dear friends, be blessed with overflowing joy as you believe the truth that God has promised to rescue you.  Release all fear and anxiety about the future as you remember that Jesus has already been there and is waiting to walk with you, holding your hand and whispering guidance through his Spirit. Be blessed as you choose to pray for others who need encouragement and strength in their dark days, knowing their victories of faith bring much glory to the Father. Be blessed as you face 2021, choose to rely only on God, and declare out loud, “Jesus will continue to rescue me!” Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ January 6, 2021