The Great Rescue

"Then the LORD raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their enemies. Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves to other gods, bowing down to them. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the LORD's commands. Whenever the LORD placed a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge's lifetime. For the LORD took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering.  But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They followed other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways." Judges 2:16-19 

"The cycle of disobedience, discipline, despair and delieverance is seen today whenever God's people turn away from His Word and go their own way... The book of Judges is the inspired record of Israel's failures and God's faithfulness." Warren Wiersbe

The same is true today. Like Hosea's wife, we prostitute ourselves by giving ourselves to other things what only God rightly deserves. We look to other things for affirmation, approval and acceptance when really they can only be found in Christ.

But just like God provided a rescuer for the Israelites He provided for us as well. Jesus the Great Rescuer. Though we may be found faithless He will always remain faithful. Our failures don't trump God's redemption.

Stories of Rescue

So there is this guy AJ. (A student on the campus we work on) He is pretty awesome. A couple weeks ago on his way to go serve the homeless (feed and share the gospel with) he saw a car with a parking ticket. The Lord prompted him to pay for the ticket. After going back and forth with the Lord about it he walked back to the car took the ticket and left a note in it's place, "Your ticket has been paid for, just like your sin by Jesus dying on the cross. John 3:16"  But just a few months ago this AJ didn't exist, he was a dead man walking. But after going to a retreat and having an inspiring conversation with a lady, he surrendered his life to Christ. Jesus rescued him and gave Him life and life to the full.


And there is Luwam. Oh she is just wonderful. She is one of the most creative and friendly people I know. On campus she just goes and sits down with people she doesn't know (A campus of 48,000 students mostly commuter students are grateful to have someone come sit with them) and many times she gets to talk about Jesus since He is what defines her life. On March 16th she bought candy bars and put John 3:16 (since it was 3/16/11) and handed them out to people telling them that God loved them. Who thinks of that?! And she, by her own initative was the one who planned the feeding the homeless night AJ went to. She is studying public health and wants to do medical missions. Her heart for the Lord is big. But it wasn't this way 2 years ago. She came to college not knowing there was anything she was missing. She grew up hearing about Jesus and going to church but never heard about her need for forgiveness. Jesus stepped in and gave her understanding and rescued her from a future apart from Him. 

When Jesus rescues a life changes. Beautiful!

And here is another awesome story of God using asprin to rescue a bunch of people from slavery in Cambodia.

Jesus will never stop rescuing us until the final rescue of Revelation 19. Jesus is the One who rescues our heart, the seat of our affections, not just rescues us from the symptoms. And He will again come to Rescue us and this earth from the grip of the Enemy. Look to the heavens, where does our help come from? It comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.


What do you tend to turn to besides the Lord to find acceptance, affirmation and approval? What leads you to that point? 

If you have decided to trust Jesus' perfection instead of your own to make you right with God then remember that He doesn't think any less of you when you fail. You're forgiven. And He extends His hand of mercy yet again offering life to the full if you would take it.

Oh Lord, we are so desperate for You. We want to be a blessing to You, and when we don't want to, change our hearts. And Lord, we so often look to other things instead of You to fill us. Just like Hosea's wife, just like these Israelites, we prostitute our hearts, our affections to things that are not worthy. Would you change us Lord. Open our eyes to when we are doing this and remind us, help us turn to You in the moment and get to see You once again Rescue.

I hope the Glimpse of Glory in Judges Series; A Bible study devotional through the book of Judges, has been a blessing to you so far. And I hope you will come by each weekday to get a glimpse of God's heart and character from the book of Judges. 

Chapter One
{Day One} Delighting in God as the Know-er of All Things
{Day Two} Reliance 
{Day Three} Bigger Picture 
{Day Four} Prepare for Battle
{Day Five} No More 

Chapter 2
{Day Six} Revealer 
{Day Seven} The Lord's Anger
{Day Eight} Love Conquers All

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I'm linking up with:
A Holy Experience, We Are That Family, Good Morning Girls, Women Living Well, My Daily Walk in His Grace,Internet Cafe Devotions, Reflections of His Grace