God’s Rescue Plan

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| God’s Rescue Plan series |

• God’s Rescue Plan

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Does God Have a Rescue Plan?

Despite the wonderful upbringing I had, I have endured some really tragic moments and some seasons in my life that were completely overwhelming. Though I knew of God my whole life and was raised in church, I never brought my worries, hurts, shames, nightmares, and losses to God until much later in life. For years I walked with so much shame that it weighed on me more and more each year. I dealt with nightmares that would keep me up and made me afraid to sleep. I dealt with so much pain from losing my dad at a young age. Even after having wonderful counselors and support from the beginning, I still had so many questions. I became depressed, angry, and alone. I not only had my own pain but developed a burden that I couldn’t bear for those facing similar tragedies. I felt powerless. Here’s the thing though: one day I finally understood something that I had heard so many times before. God sent His son Jesus to rescue us all from our pain. I’ve learned this rescue comes instantly through His power, gradually through His help to endure, and eternally through His return. What does that look like though?

An Eternal Perspective

First, I’d like to make a few points on the big picture God is painting through the Bible and in our lives so we can have a foundation for understanding God’s rescue plan. As we all face trials and tribulations let’s not forget we have a loving God, but we also have an enemy who is working to deceive and hurt us. Now, not everything is some plot against us from the enemy because life just happens and we sometimes need hardship to grow. My point is that people are not our enemy (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus told us how we ought to treat others, even when they hurt us:

Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Luke 6:27-28

This includes having mercy, extending forgiveness, and sometimes giving exhortation. Essentially, we need to keep in perspective who the enemy is and how to process our pain. With that being said, God’s plan is to rescue us if we choose.

Instant Rescue

The first of three parts for the plan is an instant rescue through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised us, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16). He sent us the Holy Spirit to give us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). This power is translated from the Greek root dynamis and means “force; specially, miraculous power”.

With the Holy Spirit we have miraculous power to heal the sick, relieve the oppressed, and protect those in need!

(Matt 10:1, Matt 10:8, Jam 5:15, Mark 6:13, Acts 8:7, Acts 3:1-10, Acts 9:17-18, Acts 14:8-10, Acts 28:8-9)

In addition, we have a good Father to call upon for help who has thousands of angels (Matt 26:53, Psalm 91:11, Hebrews 1:13-14, Exodus 23:20). That is some good news!

Gradual Rescue

We don’t always get rescued instantly however. Sometimes we are asked to endure because, from an eternal perspective, there is more worth or power for us in it. So, rescue can be receiving strength, wisdom, peace, or faith to endure our suffering (Isa 41:10, Jam 1:5). Paul taught us to “rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4). That hope is a promise we can hang onto as we endure some pain here in our lives. Hope in Jesus’ power to restore us fully from what we’ve been through. My own story can attest to the full restoration of the power of Jesus. I no longer have nightmares from my past! By His blood, “Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin” (1 Corinthians 1:30). But He doesn’t stop there.

He redeems our pain with a redemption that leaves us better than we ever would have been even if we had never been through the pain.

(Take a look at our His Love in Suffering series that talks more on this topic.)

Eternal Rescue

The best part of the plan is the finale where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). This plan takes place after Jesus’ return. There are moments in my life where I’ve been angry with God about why He didn’t come save me, why there is so much pain in this world, or why so many have passed so suddenly. God has kindly come to show me there was a bigger plan all along. He had saved me and would walk with me through my pain. Even though we get wounded we have an all-knowing Father with a plan. He is drawing us to stay close to Him. He is teaching us that we are each so unique, capable, strong, and beautiful (or handsome). He is asking us to love and pray for everyone as we encourage each other, strengthen our faith, and receive healing. One day He is coming back. One day all the pain will be gone. One day He comes to our rescue.

One day He is coming back. One day all the pain will be gone. One day He comes to our rescue.