He Rescued Me

Over the last few days, I’ve seen such remarkable and heart-stirring scenes of people being rescued out of the rushing flood waters of Hurricane Harvey, off of roof tops, and from cars and homes. Thanks be to God for America where our people – first responders, volunteers, churches, charitable organizations, and so many others are stepping up to do what we do in times of crisis. As divided a country that it seems we are -- in times like this, our true colors – good hearts and spirits show up.

As I watched those rescue scenes, I couldn’t help but think of one of my all-time favorite memories with much loved friends who are Gospel songwriters, artists and musicians, Jimmy & Becky Pearce, and the song they wrote, “He Rescued Me”, that blessed our hearts so much. Before singing the song, Jimmy would always tell the story of his dad who rescued three elderly people whose boat had capsized and they were clinging to a fallen tree in the middle of stormy waters. Jimmy’s dad managed to get them all into his boat. The elderly woman clung to his legs and said “I don't want to let him go. He rescued me. He rescued me.” Jimmy and Becky put those words to song that not only carry the message of those being rescued in South Texas in a natural way, but those words explain the good grace of our Heavenly Father Who rescues us from the storms of this life that can be equally devastating. He is our rescuer and we never want to let Him go.

HE RESCUED ME
On the stormy sea of sin I was sinking, never to rise again.
The wind and the rains ‘round me crashing,
Had battered and torn me within

But He rescued me, Jesus rescued me
From the cold dark waters of sin’s troubled sea.
He rescued me, new life I can see
Jesus reached down in love, and He rescued me.

I could feel death’s arm around me, as I struggled for my life.
I could see his angel waiting to claim me for his prize.
In my hour of desperation I almost lost my mind
But somehow I cried to Jesus and He saved me just in time.

So many people in South Texas have lost everything. Everything they had worked for all their lives is gone. There are those who worked from pay check to pay check and they don’t have a job to even go to because the business they worked for is gone. Fear is probably gripping their hearts. They need rescuers and we pray and hope that their needs will be met in such ways they recognize the love of God through people.

Fear gripped the hearts of Christ’s disciples when the storms, the winds, and the waves came to them on the Sea of Galilee. I refer to that scene because it is so clear in my mind after having been on that sea in June. The best part of that scene, scripture says that Jesus saw them from afar and came to them walking on the water to save them. (Matthew 14:22-33)

Though that story is over 2,000 years ago, it is still relevant to us today, and particular to those who have been affected by the devastation in South Texas and those who have fear gripping their hearts about what tomorrow holds. That fear may also be gripping those who are about to give up because matters have gotten worse and they fear for the loss of their marriage or their job or their loved one who is so ill. Jesus – the same – yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) has the ability and wants to come walking on the water into all of those lives. His grace. His love. His mercy. He’s reaching out even now to RESCUE you and me from whatever fear we are facing today. Let’s reach up to those arms.....and let Him.

Comfort and Coziness Can Be So Trivial

Getting a good night's sleep is high priority for me so having the just right room ambiance, cool temperature, white noise playing, and several pillows to accompany me are all on my "must have", nighttime list. Last night, as I laid down in my cozy and comfy bed, I realized how blessed I am as I thought about those who are displaced and even homeless because of the tremendous disaster of Hurricane Harvey and how, not just a bed of comfort, but food, clothing and a roof over their head is so wanted and needed.

Yesterday I received these words from dear friends in the Houston area: "We seek for your prayers to ask God to command the hurricane to stop moving inland and the rain to cease. Our little house in the Dickinson Bayou is under chest level water and now we are staying with my daughter in Pearland. Please pray for us and those who are in harms way. Thank you all. Lord, have mercy on us."

Suddenly, this disaster became so real because it was affecting dear friends. Shame on me for feeling so distant and taking my own comfort for granted.

I heard it quoted by the head of FEMA "This disaster is going to be a landmark event -- a storm that the United States has not seen yet." The National Weather Service describes the damage as "unprecedented" and "beyond anything experienced." Over 50 inches of rain is predicted in the Houston area -- the highest amount ever recorded in Texas. Thirteen million people are under flood watches stretching from Corpus Christi to New Orleans. A FEMA spokesman warns that "the recovery effort is going to be going on for weeks, months, and probably even years."

Though I responded back to my friends in an email with prayers and offering any tangible assistance we can give them, it seems so inadequate. I know God has already shown up in the prayers, support and hands-on responses to the needs that are there. It's one thing to go through storms, but it's a whole other thing to know we're not going through them alone.

Our Father promises us, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you" (Isaiah 43:2). His word assures us, "There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).

Rescuers have saved thousands of people across the Texas Gulf Coast. Donations from across the country are supporting relief agencies. My heart was touched when my pastor shared how one of his fellow priests' church in Rockport was devastated, so I helped support the relief efforts. We can't do everything, but we can do something. We can pray fervently, asking God to redeem this tragedy by using the "body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27) to share the love of Christ with millions in need.

Today may seem so dark to those ravage-torn Texas families, but tomorrow will come and lives and homes will be rebuilt, the healing will come to families and life will carry on once again. Beauty will be found, even in tragedy. We may not know what the future holds.....but we do know, WHO holds the future -- and the future is still very bright!

Yes, we may not know what the future holds.....but we do know, WHO holds the future -- and the future is very bright!

A man from a small town on the Texas coast was interviewed as he unloaded his boat. A reporter asked him what he was going to do. "I'm gonna try to save some lives," the man responded. Let's join him.

Lord have mercy! We ask for sustaining courage for those who are suffering; wisdom and diligence among agencies and individuals assessing damage and directing relief efforts; and for generosity to flow as powerfully as rivers and streams, as we, your people, respond to the deep human needs that are being experienced in the wake of the storm. Lord, have mercy!