To the Rescue
When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil. With one hand strike my foes, with your other hand save me. Psalm 138:7-8 (MSG)
Have you ever stopped to count the number of times God has rescued you during your lifetime? For me, it is more than I can count. When I’ve wandered off course and became like a “child lost in the woods” He has shown me a way out and kept me safe. Liz Kimmel (All God’s Creatures) shares a great life lesson.
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My friend Janet lives on a ranch in Texas and has a heart big enough to care about animals from around the world. She regularly supports rescue organizations in Europe and Asia, as well as those that are closer to home. In her own words, “If it walks into my yard and is hungry, it has a home.”
She was alarmed one day to step out of her barn and discover that a baby bird had fall from a tree and was in grave danger from a chicken snake. Of course, the snake was only behaving as a snake knows how to behave. But Janet could not sit idly by and watch this baby suffer.
It wasn’t a huge snake, but it was large enough to be a danger to the tiny bird. Jane called for her handyman, who quickly came to the rescue and disentangled the young one from the grasp of the limbless reptile. Once the bird was safe and the snake tossed a far enough distance away that it was no longer a threat, the man returned to the barn. To Janet’s surprise, within moments he came back out into the yard and held up a handmade birdcage that would offer protection to their new feathered friend. She had no idea the cage had been there and was delighted at the unimagined provision.
It was fortunate that the bird was soon nestled safely inside, because it also had to be protected from the curiosity of the family dog.
I see God in this story in so many ways. Like Janet and the bird, God cares about me. He does not leave me defenseless. He is ever ready to come to my rescue. He offers a way of escape for whatever is threatening me. And He provides safe havens in a way I could never have imagined.
How could I cope in this life, Lord, without the knowledge that You are my strong support, my strong provider. Thank You for always knowing what I need and for watching out for me. AMEN.