Love Lifted Me
He lifted me out of the slimy pit…He set my feet upon a rock. Psalm 41:2 (NIV)
We have all been in some slimy pits during our lives. Try as we may, our own efforts were not enough to raise us high enough to climb out. Anger, depression, and a boatload of other feelings took over until we surrendered and asked for His help. We have empathy for those currently in the pit, don’t we? Shirley Raye Redmond (All God’s Creatures) tells us about two puppies who lived because love rescued them.
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“Did you see that?” My husband quickly pulled our vehicle over to the side of the road. It had been raining for days, and the roadside ditches threatened to overflow. When he pointed, I saw what had attracted his attention: two small puppies appeared to have struggled out of the ditch onto the grassy bank. Bill scrambled out of the car. Suddenly I had two squirming little creatures plopped on my lap. I removed my windbreaker, wrapping the drenched and trembling puppies inside, hugging them close to me to keep them warm until we got home.
“Someone must have tossed them out of a car or truck.” Bill noted with disgust. I silently agreed. The poor little things were far too young and too small to have wandered this far out in the middle of nowhere.
At home, we dried the puppies off, then fed and cuddled them. I longed to keep the adorable, curly haired mutts, but knew it wasn’t feasible, as Bill and I worked full time. Reluctantly we took the puppies to the shelter the next morning on our way to work and were relieved when the staff member assured us that she should have no trouble finding forever homes for these little cuties.
I’ve always been thankful that Bill spotted the puppies on the side of the road that day so we could rescue them. I am thankful, too, that God sent His only Son Jesus to rescue me. The Lord hasn’t filled ditches in my life, but He’s always been there to lift me up, dry me off, and set me on my feet again. Those little puppies were worth saving. God thinks we’re worth saving too.
He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves. —James Rowe
Almighty Father, thank You for Your love that is greater than anything we can describe. You have rescued us time and again from danger and we are grateful people. Help us to sing Your praises forever and share with others. AMEN.