God Knows How To Rescue
Read the Text: 2 Peter 2
Memorize the Text:
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.
(1 Peter 6:6-7, CSB)
Consider the Text: 2 Peter 2:9-10
I remember watching rescuers attempt to save a child who fell into a well. The ability to rescue the child would depend on developing a plan, gathering the proper equipment, and skilled individuals to carry out the rescue task. These individuals held the needed expertise to use the equipment and to perform the necessary activities to rescue the young child. Every individual faces the state of needing rescue. All live bound by the trap of sin and need a rescuer to work and free them from this bondage. The apostle Peter noted that the Lord knows how to rescue all his children from all trials.
THE SNARE OF SIN
Sin traps all of humanity because of the fallen nature. It holds people captive through the desires of the flesh and the pride of life. We combat the temptation of the lure sitting in the snare and find ourselves caught in the snare's might. We call this snare sin, and sin separates us from the Lord. The snare of sin stains us, separates us, and sends us toward the punishment of eternal death. The nature of sin defines the individuals separated from the Lord and sets a course in their life to receive the punishment of justice from the Lord. Peter noted that sin demands punishment.
Peter used the Old Testament examples of Sodom and Gomorrah and the world during the days of Noah as evidence of a sinful state. These two situations found their identity in their sinful nature. Both dynamics refused to live according to the Lord, and as a result, the Lord brought punishment and destruction against them. These examples prove the guarantee of the Lord's judgment on the lives of unrepentant sinners. Thus, we must recognize the snare of sin and our need for a rescuer.
GOD THE RESCUER
Peter acknowledged that the Lord knows how to rescue his children from trials. Trials come into the life of every believer. These trials may exist because of sin or because we live in a fallen world. Nevertheless, no matter the trial, the Lord knows exactly what is needed for rescue. God holds greater wisdom than any expert. He holds greater power than any equipment. He is more than enough to rescue from any trial. Peter used two Old Testament examples to point to the rescuing nature of God. He mentioned Lot and Noah, which coincide with the places receiving punishment.
The ultimate image of rescue comes through Christ. We needed a pathway to rescue us from our sins, and Christ was and will forever be that Rescuer. The Lord developed a plan of redemption that he foretold throughout the generations and initiated at the coming of the Messiah. The instrument used for the rescue served as an instrument of death in this world and an instrument of life to pay the required debt of sin. Christ used that equipment to provide the needed sacrifice for life and the power to overcome the trial of death in the resurrection.
GOD DEALS JUSTLY
God deals justly with humanity. True justice comes from the Lord alone due to his character and person. Jesus provides victory to those who profess Christ as Lord and Savior. The victory does not come through work or activity but through faith in Christ, who is the rescuing agent. At the same time, life polluted by sin demands the just punishment of death. The filth of humanity cannot stand in the presence of God's holiness. Therefore, we must trust in the goodness, faithfulness, and justice of the Lord as he deals with the activity of judgment.
Today, we need to recognize that God is a just God who deals with people properly. He judges those who do not know him through Christ and rescues those who have a personal relationship with Christ. No trial is to bring for Jesus. He knows how every trial is overcome and every victory is claimed. When we face trials, we often attempt to be or find an expert who can develop a plan to use the proper equipment for the rescue. The truth remains that Jesus is the one true expert who brought forth the plan of rescuing through the use of a cross and the power to overcome the debt of death. This rescue act then made the way through a faith-based personal relationship with Christ for eternal rescuing.
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
