“Listen to me…you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:3-4 NIV
Snorkeling in the exotic coral reefs off the shore of Cancun would be a fantastic adventure!
Snorkeling wasn’t a “thing” for Texas girls like me who grew up in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. Unlike land-locked me, Russ’ military family lived in Hawaii during his tween years. He loved his time in Oahu, a water sports haven. So, we were both excited to spend the afternoon in the warm waters of the Caribbean, flicking our flippers.
The sky was clear, the sun shone brightly, and the water beckoned. It was a perfect afternoon for snorkeling. Our small group set off on Jet Skis following our guide’s ski boat, which carried the snorkeling gear.
When we reached the waters shimmering above the reefs, we “parked” our Jet Skis beside the guide’s boat. He distributed the snorkeling gear and then instructed us in broken English. It sounded easy – mask in place, snorkel upright, head down, arms stroking the water, and flippers flipping. Got it! And off we went to explore.
My first view of the colorful coral kingdom beneath the water blew me away. The underwater world was ablaze with the colors of the rainbow. Fish of all sizes flitted in and out of the corals. I couldn’t believe the enormity of the reef and how close it seemed to be to the water’s surface.
Suddenly, I discovered how close it was when I swam into the reef—more accurately, I slammed into the reef.
Arms and legs tangled with the biting sharp edges of the coral. I was snagged. Every movement caused the coral to bite deeper into my skin. I lifted my masked-covered face above the water to yell for help and heard the guide’s voice shouting, “No, Senora, no swim in the corals! No swim!” I appreciated the advice.
I ducked my masked face under the surface and saw my blood coloring the water as I struggled to free myself from the now-stinging and biting coral. My underwater adventure was deteriorating by the second. And I wondered how long before a shark might stroll by attracted by the blood.
I could not free myself. Not only was my skin snagged on the coral, but so was my swimsuit. I was becoming one with the coral.
I raised my head again and heard the guide, aided by my sweet husband, both yelling, “Get off of the coral!”
At that point, the rescue operation swung into high gear. Our guide became my liberator and heroic rescuer—albeit a very irritated hero, who said many Spanish words I didn’t understand. Based on his attitude, I don’t think they were complimentary.
I quickly assessed the damage once I was peeled from the coral reef, plucked from the water, and reseated behind Russ on our Jet Ski—it wasn’t pretty. We bounced across the water, leaving trickles of blood in our wake. The burning salt water splashes kept my wounds awake as we headed back to the safety of shore. Adventure, indeed.
Perhaps I would have eventually been able to extract myself from the coral reef—I’m not so sure. I know with certainty that every move I made trying to pull away from the coral inflicted more damage and managed to tether me more tightly to the reef. I needed a rescuer.
That does not mean I get to skate on the consequences of foolish, harmful, or rebellious decisions or wrong choices. For many months, I carried scars, scrapes, and scratches from my underwater encounter. And, I carry unseen scars from ungodly decisions and choices of the past—most of us do. Praise God, the scars tell me God’s healing touch has sealed the wound. The scars are my reminders to consider carefully the choices and decisions I make today.
God knows that even though we’ve placed our faith in Jesus Christ, repented of our sins, and surrendered our lives to our Lord God; we are still going to make mistakes – we are still going to sin. We’re not perfect—not yet. One day, yes—today, no.
That’s why God repeatedly tells us in Scripture that He is our Rescuer. God gives us multiple examples in His Word of men and women who loved Him dearly but found themselves in serious challenges, deep troubles, and devastating trials because of the imperfections of the flesh, the trials of life, or attacks by Satan.
“He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.” Psalm 18:17 ESV
David, the future-but-not-yet-King of Israel, knew that he could rely on God to be his help in times of trouble. David called God his Rock of Refuge and Mighty Fortress when attacked (Psa. 31:2), his Righteous Deliverer when the enemy pursued (Psa. 71:2), and his Rescuer when there was no way out. That confident knowledge gave David peace of mind, calmness of spirit, physical strength to push forward, and even an abiding joy during trials and tribulations.
Perhaps King David thought that once he wore the crown, his life would be easier—he would not need a Rescuer as often. He would no longer be the target of a jealously-driven king (Saul) and be constantly on the run for his life. Once he was king, he would have the mighty army of Israel to fight alongside him.
I’m not saying David in any way discounted his need for God, simply that he may have thought the desperation of his need for a Rescuer due to the constant attacks by his enemies would lessen when he became king.
But King David learned, as we have (or will), that there is no such thing as a lessening need for a Rescuer. The closer we draw to God, the more intense the attacks become. Self, sin, and Satan want to distract us from serving God with self-accusations, temptations, trials, discouragement, and failures. The attacks increase, and so does our need for our Almighty Rescuer.
“Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My name. When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15 ESV
I knew full well that I could not extricate myself from my entanglement on the coral reef. I did not intend to shipwreck myself on the reef. The coral’s exotic and seemingly innocent beauty drew me in, beckoning me closer and closer so that I could see it more clearly. My intentions didn’t matter. The fact was that I needed a rescuer, thus, my bellowing call for help.
When we find our situation—whatever it may be or whatever the cause—overwhelming and threatening to pull us under, we should never hesitate to call out to our all-powerful, ever-present Rescuer.
“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. —They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.Jeremiah 1:8, 19 NIV
How has God rescued you in the past? Take a minute to thank Him again that He sees you always and knows the ins and outs of your every situation. He is your ever-willing, always available Rock of Refuge, your Mighty Fortress, your Righteous Deliverer, and, yes, He is your Rescuer.