The Rescue

Psalm 34:17-20 - New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
    He rescues them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

¹⁹ The righteous person faces many troubles,
    but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
²⁰ For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
    not one of them is broken!

A lot of years ago, I volunteered on the small town fire department where I lived. I remember  our twice-monthly meetings where we always had something new to learn.  None of us had been to training schools so most of what we learned was through experience or through our meetings where we studied things like first aid, commercial building sprinkler systems, rescue techniques, and other associated skills associated with the fire department. 

A few times, I drove the fire truck and learned there were numerous responsibilities to being a driver, which had nothing to do with driving. The same is true with the rescue unit. That old panel wagon carried our limited tools and equipment used to free someone from a wrecked vehicle, or any situation which created a need for help or medical attention. 

There is something that brings assurance to us when we know there are agencies and individuals standing ready to help us when we get in trouble.  Regardless of the emergency, they are on duty and dependable when needed. 

I was reading the above psalm recently and noticed the recurring use of the term, "rescue."  Three times in three verses, it is used.  We humans do seem to find ways to get ourselves in predicaments where we need help. 

Read again what the psalmist says about God being our rescuer.  Each time the word is used, it gives us a glimpse of an attribute of our God.  

1.  God hears his people calling out when they need help, and he rescues them from trouble.

2. He is close to the brokenhearted, and rescues us when our spirits are crushed.

3. Righteous people suffer many troubles, but God rescues them every time. 

Three short verses, all dealing with God's rescue abilities, and each one showing how much he knows about us.  He knows we are prone to needing help. He knows our hearts are easily broken. He knows we get ourselves into trouble.  We are assured we have a rescuer, and he is closer than calling 911.

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