In recent weeks several news stories followed the details of different rescue attempts.  One story followed several hikers lost in the snowy mountains.  Another story was of attempts to rescue a father who was missing after he attempted to rescue his family lost in the snow.  Just last week another rescue occurred, this time of people caught in their cars after an avalanche.  Some of these rescue attempts were successful, while others sadly were not. 

            Can you imagine the plight of those who needed rescuing?  Imagine the feeling of being utterly vulnerable.   Conceive the thought of being trapped in a place where you are helpless to obtain your own safety.  Picture yourself lost, utterly helpless, and unable to get to safety.  Envision needing rescue.

            What you have just imagined is a perfect picture of our sin.  We are lost in it. Not just kind of lost, like when you have taken a wrong turn.  Utterly lost.  Helpless.  Hopeless.  There is nothing we can do to get out.  Our best efforts leave us short and only more ensnared. 

            Colossians 1:13  For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. 

            How beautiful is the truth of this verse.  Amazing love and divine compassion rescued us, pulled us out and redeemed us.  We were so profoundly in need of rescue, and through Christ, we have been so profoundly rescued.  This truth is our joy.  This truth is our hope.  This truth should cause our hearts to rejoice and to join with all of heaven singing “Glory in highest to our great king!” 

            When we lose sight of our rescue, our lives become out of focus.  Our faith and subsequent obedience is not about trying really hard.  It is not about duty.  It is about compulsion.  Because God is so great, His love is so wonderful, His grace so profound; because He has rescued us when we didn’t deserve rescue and we certainly could not have rescued ourselves; because of these things, we lovingly, willingly, and passionately give our lives to Him.  This understanding is when our faith stops becoming obligation and becomes a joyous delight.  Rejoice in your rescue!