The Psalms are full of words like rescue, refuge, fortress, shield, rock, strong tower, and more. These descriptions of God make us think of times of distress or danger. They remind us of people crossing the sea on dry ground, a shepherd boy facing a giant, a tiny army of 300 facing a mighty horde, fiery furnaces, and lions’ dens. We think of heroes of the faith who found God to be faithful in delivering them from overwhelming circumstances as they trusted Him.
But truth is, we can begin to think that we don’t really need that kind of help anymore. Life might seem to be going okay. We have what we need. We can control many of the things in our lives. We are pretty comfortable. It’s nice to know that God can do even the impossible and He’s on our side, but we can begin to think that we’ve got this thing called life handled and we’ll call God when we need Him.
Let’s turn off the noise, stop running, and take a little time. Can we just sit alone in the quiet and take stock? Strip away the layers. Set aside the work that consumes our time and mental reserves. Take away the habits, the phones, the media connections whether personal or social, the hobbies we fill the empty spaces with, even the rhythms that make us feel in control. Sit before God just as we are, not as the roles we fill or the people we wish we were. Bring all our weaknesses, all our uncertainties, all our failures, all our sins, all our shame. No excuses, no rationalizations, no blaming others. Admit where we hate. See where we’re unfaithful. Vent the anger. Uncover the pride. It’s all there lurking under the mask we put on so well, not only in front of others, but even when we look in the mirror.
The only cure is honest confession before God. Then we begin to realize the truth. When do we NOT need rescue? We are in constant need of a refuge and a strong tower from the onslaught of the sin in our own hearts. We face greater challenges than giants and lions. Our lives are flooded with distractions and entanglements that pull us from the source of true life. We cannot live as God intended without His constant presence and power. Our way must be surrendered to His way. He must be Lord over all. Then He has provided all we need. Himself. He, the Holy Spirit, comes to live in us and will meet the need of every moment as we depend on Him instead of ourselves.
His rescue is our only hope. And He promises to be faithful as we surrender our weakness to HIs strength. There is joy found in learning to live in moment-by-moment dependence on Him. Himself.
“Oh what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight…whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
And You forgave Me!” Psalm 32 (NLT)
His Unfolding Grace 